Hey, people, sorry for the delay. I wanted to publish the last chapter and the epilogue together, and I got sick twice, and the end of any story as long as this is a bit painful, so… Well, you got it.

I'd like to thank everybody who favorited, followed and reviewed this story – and I include the 'guests' who, even without an account, let beautiful comments.

Kisses and hugs to everybody!

The marriage

Chapter 19: The closure clause

'Keep these paws off of me, you devious creature!'

CC smiled, because it was very hard to believe Niles didn't want her to touch him, once he had moved until he was cornered by her at one of the walls of their room in his parents' house.

And his hands were in her forearms, pulling her.

'I'm serious… Don't touch me, Babcock', he whined, showering her left cheek with kisses, dangerously close to her ear. Noticing her smug expression and deciding it was a bit devious, even if totally lovely, he made an affected move with his shoulders and pouted. 'You know we must go…'

'Aww… Just some time more…', she answered, pressing him against the wall.

Never one able to resist to any kind of pressure she could bring on, Niles let her have her way with him again, sighing in resignation and pleasure.

And soon both were chuckling at the foolishness of this all.

Someplace at the back of Niles' mind he thought he should stop this (even if it was really pleasurable just to be making out and smiling while making out with her), take his bag and get out. People were waiting for them at the front porch, so the men of the house could spend the last night before the wedding at a small nearby hotel (where the Babcocks were already settled), while the women stayed in the house.

CC had called the circumstances a crazy-bride maker, once she would have to face an entire night with the only trustful companies being her mother-in-law and the Little One. She added that Nanny Fine, the Big One (who did everything her stepmother asked) and Val (who wouldn't be able to accomplish even the stupid things Nanny Fine asked) were the real Dark Side to be fought if she wanted to maintain her sanity.

To Niles worry, the sides were not even, because there were still Sylvia and Yetta for the counting… At least, the ones with more brains and some knowledge of the territory were by his wife's side.

(He had seen enough antics in New York to know everything was possible when Fran was around, but he trusted Fate would be by his side and preserve him from any anguish in the last hours before his wedding.

To help Fate, he had a brief talk with his mother, and she reassured him she was perfectly able to maintain 'a bunch of girls' under control.)

The only thing that really bothered both himself and CC was that they had to face that last night without each other, and that is why they were trying to postpone the separation as much as they could.

(Who suggested they should be apart, anyway? He couldn't remember… He just knew everyone was chatting in the beginning of the afternoon, the idea appeared and soon people agreed it was a 'beautiful tradition'; he and CC nodded distractedly – they had been in a world of themselves for a good part of the conversation – and everybody cheered.

Just then they realized with what they had just agreed).

The big group had a light dinner very early, and then the men went to take their bags. It should be a very quick process, once Maxwell, Brighton and Fred had never completely undone theirs, and Niles had already done his, because the plan was to take the flight soon after the reception, and land as soon as possible in the tropical paradise where their honeymoon would be.

Back to the situation at hand, he was sure everybody was already waiting. No one would take as much time as he was taking. Maybe Maxwell, with Fran's pregnancy madness…

(Thinking better, the man would, for sure, run for the hills once he took his bag… Fran was being really unpredictable, in the last weeks).

Niles didn't know how to feel about his own lateness – maybe he should be ashamed he and CC were so obvious… or proud they were so… obvious.

He made an effort to not touch her too much, so he had one of his hands lightly on her hip, and the other not touching her back – just his wrist feeling the way her body moved while kissing him deeply – as he had done that night they kissed in the Sheffields' living room.

That night, he was trying not to get lost in something he could not know if she was serious about; tonight, he didn't want to get lost in something he knew she was really serious about.

He wanted to stay and do things properly with her, but he had promised he would go and do things properly for tradition… Thus, he was kinda thorn.

CC seemed to understand what he was feeling, because she stopped kissing him, hugged him tightly (one hand on the back of his head and the other descending slowly to his rear) and started walking backwards, pulling him to the bed while talking into his ear, 'Come on, just a quickie… So I can survive the night…'

'People are waiting…', he tried to remind her between more kisses.

(And he noticed he was the one initiating the kisses, now)

'I know…'

'We should go downstairs…'

'We are the bride and groom, Niles. We decide what we want to do. Relax'.

'I'm trying to… But we agreed to go…'

'And it was already too much'.

The back of her legs reached the bed and she looked at him, her face showing how aroused she was.

Niles was still hesitating, so CC licked her lips and baited her lashes at him, pouting mockingly, 'Please… I love you soooo much…'

And for effect, she let go of him, opened the comfortable pants she had chosen for the night and let them fall to the floor.

That mix of real desire and bad attitude got to him, and Niles opened the zipper of his own trousers, and managed to bring out just his member, that was getting hard really fast, 'Maybe I should give you what you seem to want'.

CC started snickering at his porno-star gesture, what made him laugh, too.

She calmed down, put her hands on his chest and looked lovingly at him, 'Yeah, we both know that is all I want'.

Niles smiled at her, acknowledging the previous game and the sarcastic tirade. He relished in the fact that both knew exactly when the other was joking, what made them feel absolutely sure about the other's feelings.

He pecked her lips and started opening his trousers properly, to show her he was not resisting, anymore. There was no sense in resisting, in fact – he was resistless when the tenderness card was played.

She put her hands on his, 'Don't need to', sat on the bed and took him into her mouth.

It was just a quick loving greeting, to be sure he was ready for her, and then she went to lie down on the middle of the bed.

Niles went to cover her, and the new sensation of doing it with his pants on made him feel a great thrill of arousal. It brought to surface some fantasies both had already talked about, of this relationship of theirs being prohibited and they being forced to do it in a hurry…

(Maybe, in a parallel universe, they loved each other but decided to have a secret affair… Maybe there, for some reason, it was better not to tell anyone…)

They grunted while he moved forcefully inside her, mixing deep strokes and fluid motions in order to take them to the edge quickly.

They kissed to muffle the sounds at least a bit, being desperate to make it last longer, and at the same time wanting to reach the climax and create the perfect memory to be cherished while they would be apart.

Soon both came, and the sensation that washed over both of them was of belonging: it didn't really matter so much that they were to be apart, because they were made to be together.

Niles had to catch his breath, so he rested his head on her shoulder. He smiled when he felt her grabbing his hair as if she wanted to maintain him there. He kissed her temple and felt her relax a bit.

'Promise me you'll think of me while we're apart', CC murmured, rocking her hips a last time and enjoying immensely the way his clothed hips felt between her legs.

'I promise, baby'.

'I'll keep you in mind every moment of this stupid night'.

He chuckled, amazed by how she managed to be annoyed and sound so loving at the same time, and looked at her, 'And you promise me you'll break tradition and won't kill anyone until dawn'.

'I can't promise you that. What if I discover the moron who suggested this night apart thing?'

'How do you know the moron will be here with you?'

'Yes, you're right. We both will be surrounded by morons all night'.

'I talked to my mother and she said she will make sure everybody go to bed early, so you won't be disturbed'.

CC smiled sweetly at him, and he smiled back, because he still found it cute when she was antisocial, 'Thank you'.

'You're welcome, dear'.

They stayed just looking into each other's eyes for some moments more, then both sighed and, in an unspoken agreement, Niles got off of CC. They got out of the bed and helped the other with their messed clothes and hair.

With a last peck of the lips, they held hands and started for the door of the room.

'However,', Niles said, opening the door for them, 'just in case you do discover who suggested it… You give the person an enormous fake grin and say that everything is all right. I swear to you it will be scary enough'.

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The little group was chatting at the Brightmores' front door. The night had fallen, and it was starting to get quite chilly.

Sylvia made a face and almost channeled CC, 'Who was the moron that said they had to be apart in the last night? I'm dying here!'

'You can't be that cold with this fat layer, Ma', Fran said, stepping out of Maxwell's arms and adjusting Sylvia's coat on the woman's shoulders.

'You always criticize me', Sylvia pouted and then turned to yell, 'Morty! Turn off the car and come here! You're not getting out any sooner!'

'Let him stay in the car', Marie said, 'He's listening to the game with Pete'.

'Who are we waiting for?', Yetta asked for the fourth time.

'Niles and CC', Gracie explained again, 'They will have their wedding tomorrow'.

'Wedding? Aren't they already married?', Yetta looked around, confused, 'Aren't the blond children theirs?'

'Yes, they are married, and no, we are theirs', Brighton said, pointing to Maxwell and Fran. Seeing Yetta seemed more confused, he added, 'We don't get it, either'.

'Well, she is a shiksa, but two weddings is too much!', the older woman exclaimed, 'Wasn't the first one fancy enough?'

'That first one was mine, Yetta', Fran corrected, smiling proudly.

The grandma lifted a warning finger, 'You're all too mixed with them. I can't tell who is who'.

'Well', Maxwell said, fondly, 'Someway we got so close we are, in fact, just one big family'.

It made a warm feeling fill the group: everybody had a sense that, no matter their crazy antics, there was a tenderness and a bonding in that group that was not just about Sheffields or Fines; it included Niles and CC as if they were two of their own, even being so different from them.

Marie nodded, 'I think it is just fair that you became so united. And, to Peter and myself, it is soothing to know our child has gotten such good people to stand by him'.

'Oh, we couldn't live without Niles', Sylvia said, making her best lady-like impression, 'He is the glue that keeps us together'.

'You just like his cooking', Yetta said, then turned to Marie, 'I like Neil because he is a hunk. Hoo-ha!'

Marie started laughing, 'I hope he knows he's got such a fan club of ladies'.

'Oh, he knows', Fran said, 'They make sure to tell him every time'.

'Meanwhile', Sylvia interjected again, 'I still think he is taking too long'.

'It doesn't matter, Ma', Fran shook her head, 'Let's give them time to say their goodbyes. You know how they are'.

Everybody heard some noise at the front door (giggling and chuckling, to be more specific) and Niles and CC appeared, hand in hand.

'Finally!', Sylvia exclaimed, 'What took you so long, anyway?'

They stopped and looked at the group as if they were two small children caught doing a no-no, and started rumbling, 'Well…', 'We were…'

'Watching TV?', Fran suggested.

'Yes, that's it!', CC eagerly agreed. 'We couldn't turn it off'.

'Oh, and what was so good?', Val wanted to know.

CC had her eyes wide, 'Oh… It was… a…

'…re-run', Niles helped.

'Yes! A re-run of…', she looked at him with hope in her eyes.

'… an old detective series', he offered.

'Oh, yes!', CC agreed and turned to the others, 'You know how the British love it. I told Niles we had to stop, but he insisted on following until it ended'.

His husband made a visible effort to not contradict her – even if he was used to her switching roles when she tried to justify their behavior, sometimes he still had the urge to argue – and just played on, 'It was my fault. I have this strange craving for not let things unfinished'.

'Uhmmm… I see', Fran said and looked around, noticing no one was buying their little story. So, she just smirked and had to comment, 'I love these series, too. I always keep wondering if the butler did it'.

Everybody tried to stifle laughter (Michael and Maggie embraced, Brighton coughed, Maxwell shut his mouth in a line, Marie openly looked at her son and daughter-in-law, with a knowing barely concealed smile), minus Gracie, who just snickered, and Val and Freddy, who looked genuinely confused.

'I never knew you liked detective shows so much, Fran', her best friend commented.

'Fran likes the psychological turns', Grace said, winking at her mother.

'I find it all very strange', Fred said, 'If Fran likes to watch crimes in television, how was it she found a good idea for the men to go away and let a group of women alone at night in an isolated house? It never ends well'.

'Oh', CC said, squinting at Fran, 'Nanny Fine finds it a good idea that me and Niles must be apart tonight?'

'I find it because everybody does. I am this kind of sheep person', the brunette tried to sound nonchalantly in her fast speaking, 'Isn't it time to go, already?'

'But it was your idea, Fran', Fred insisted, smiling. 'Don't you remember?'

Everybody looked at CC, and Fran kept frozen, waiting for the outburst.

Seeing the attention focused on her, and feeling Niles nudging her, CC breathed deeply, made her trademark big and fake sweet smile (tilted head and all) and said, 'It is all right… Fran'.

The brunette put a hand instinctively over her heart, as if she had been cursed, while Sylvia spitted on her fingers ('Ptui, ptui'), Yetta made a long Ooooyyyy and the situation was dissolved by Niles' father, who yelled from the car, 'It's time, gentlemen!'

The group quickly started to move, following the current: Sylvia linked arms with Yetta and went to the car; Maxwell took Fran away from CC, and Val dragged Fred away from Fran, who had menacingly going after him, forgetting the socialite. Marie made a gesture for Michael, Maggie, Brighton and Grace to go, and followed them.

The blonde socialite noticed her prey going away from her and tried to follow, but Niles took her by the arm and made her turn to him, 'Let it be, witch. You already scared her to death. Congratulations, by the way'.

'You know me too well, Niles. I just hope I can control myself later'.

He smiled, 'Don't even think about it. She had good intentions, and probably just wanted to give a romantic touch to our last night as single people… Hey, wait… We are not single… and we are romantic enough without her schemes…'

It was her time to take him and spin him around, because he pretended to have realized how unnecessary the situation was and decided to go after Fran, too.

'Oh, all right', she said, laughing at his little routine, and embraced him, 'It will be just one night. I can behave', CC said into his ear.

'Will you call me?', Niles asked when they parted, putting his arm around her waist and starting slowly for the car.

'Obviously. I want to make sure you'll be alone for the night'.

'You're such a jealous guy…'

'You can bet I am. What time do you think I can call you?'

'The hotel is about half an hour from here, and I think we guys will go directly to our rooms, once the ceremony is in the morning and he have to be up early'. Niles shrugged, 'In fact, any time is ok. Just surprise me, dumpling'.

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Finally, the day had arrived.

Niles was pacing inside the church for what seemed hours, to him, but was probably less than forty minutes.

He could barely believe how nervous he was, looking at the guests, who entered and chose their seats. He recognized everybody, waved back at them, but couldn't bring himself to talk to anyone.

Noel, Maxwell, his father and Stewart had been especially attentive, taking turns to try to keep him in the conversation they had going on near the altar, but after some time they gave up and he simply walked away.

He was glad the guys were getting along, but at this moment he couldn't care less about the politics or sports or whatever they were talking about.

All he could think was of how much he had missed CC last night, even with the long and emotional phone call they shared; of how much he wanted her with him soon, after so much time planning this ceremony; of how much he wanted this to be over, so they could have their peaceful life back again.

He didn't regret the decision of having a wedding, and he knew since the beginning that they would have to face changes in their decisions, related to the people they cared about – no one lived with Sheffields and Fines for so much time without learning life was unpredictable, to say the least. However, Niles never thought so many changes would come in their way. He never thought they would have to adapt their decisions to make happy those people they cared about.

And he never thought they wouldn't mind making such decisions, once they were happy together and, in fact, their happiness could never be affected by any external elements.

He had to sit down at that. Since when he was into such a stable relationship that he felt like the world could crumble around him and, as long as he had CC, everything would be all right?

'Hey, brother-in-law', Noel came and put a hand on his shoulder, 'Are you all right? You turned pale'.

Niles looked up at the man and managed to smile, 'I'm just happy, Noel. It's almost… overwhelming'.

'I can see that you're really moved. And be sure that my sister is in the same boat'.

Niles nodded, 'I know'.

The professor smiled at him, 'I'm glad you are feeling well. No excuses for not having fun at the party and in the honeymoon'.

The butler shook his head, still smiling, but looked away. He was getting more and more used to Noel's kind of humor, but he still felt the reddening in the tip of his ears when it came.

Then, he noticed a man at the chapel's door, 'Look who is here'.

Noel followed his glance and beamed, 'Oh, it's Andrew!'

'Go talk to him and make sure he does not take a sit next to Yetta', Niles said. Noel nodded and went to greet his partner, who had just arrived at the church after days of negotiating dates with his business partners in the United States, in order to be able to be present at the ceremony.

Niles remembered the first time he and CC went to visit the guys, who had been living together for almost ten years, and how beautiful it was to see what happiness did to Babcocks – they simply shined.

Niles waved to Andrew, who waved back, smiling.

However, he didn't get up. His legs were trembling.

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CC's legs were trembling, too, but for another reason.

She had just come out of the small restroom of the chapel. She had asked to be alone for a while, already feeling sick, the bunch of crazy women was barely out of the door and she was already inside the restroom.

She couldn't go ahead with this. She couldn't betray Niles, hiding how she had been feeling.

CC brushed her teeth and washed her face. She had opted for little make up, once it was a morning wedding – chosen to be delicate and with a sense of calmness, as the chapel had.

In fact, it was just adequate not to wear heavy make-up, knowing she could need to redo it, if this nauseous thing stroke again, as it had been doing every morning.

Mustering her dignity, she went to the door and opened it slightly, her demeanor cool and her chin high in the air, 'Nanny Fine?'

Less than a second and the woman appeared, what made CC sure she had been with her ear glued to the door, 'Yes?'

'Bring Niles here, now'.

'What happened? Can I help?'

'Now'.

'I can help now?'

'Niles. Here. Now!'

Fran turned and sent Gracie. There was no way she was letting the crazy wife of her best friend alone when she seemed so distressed.

Sylvia got closer and extended an arm between the women at the door, 'Chocolate, Miss Babcock?'

A death glare was thrown into her direction, and a door was slammed on the Fines' faces.

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The groom was still sitting when Grace approached him, 'Niles, would you give me a minute?'

'Of course, Miss Grace. What is it?'

'You must follow me'.

He was standing in a second, 'What happened? Is CC all right?'

'She is calling for you'.

Grace barely finished the phrase and Niles was running past her, disappearing at a lateral entrance of the chapel.

He saw the women sitting at chairs and benches, and decided to ignore them, but Fran blocked his path, 'Be careful, Niles! She will not talk to anyone!'

'What happened?!'

Val raised her hands in innocence, 'I swear we did nothing, this time'.

'There were doors slamming and some yells', Yetta clarified.

'It does not seem so bad', he smiled nervously.

'She refused chocolate', Sylvia added.

'She is not you, Ma', Fran said.

Noticing Fran distracted, Grace pointed out, 'She demanded to see you'.

Niles nodded at her and went to knock at the door, 'CC? It's Niles. Are you all right? May I come in?'

There was a moment of tense silence. Then, the door opened brusquely and he was pulled inside.

Thrown in the middle on the room and hearing the door slamming shut behind him, Niles started tidying his clothes, 'Dear God, woman, what is happening?!'. When he straightened, he faced her reflection in the big mirror on the wall, was frozen for some moments, and then turned to her, 'You are beautiful!'

She looked at him, surprised. There were so much things going through her mind that she could not exactly understand what he was talking about.

Oh, yes, she was in a white wedding gown. Yes, it complemented her curves and was very elegant, chosen by her and his mother two days ago. Yes, it was perfect for a wedding in a morning, not too much luxurious, the same with her, wearing not too much make-up, all the details delicate but not so small that she would seem enormous in it…

(Even if she was a bit bigger than usual… she had been eating a lot, and she knew that, even with all the exercise they did at home and the sex they had in England, it would show.

And she had been vomiting, for God's sake. Even if he didn't know it yet, she couldn't be looking that good!)

She has never been good at compliments, anyway, so she pointed at her own reflection and answered with certainty, 'How can you say that? I'm pale as a ghost!'

He shook his head, as if to clear his mind, 'What are you pointing at? Vampires don't…', he looked at the mirror and stopped talking, mesmerized. Then, he cleared his throat, turned to her and tried again, 'You're usually so pale that I can't really…'. Giving up, he got closer and took her hand, 'Oh, forget it: how do you manage to be so amazing?!'

She smiled shyly at his inability to insult her, 'Really?'

'Yes… It's like you have this…', he made a gesture as if springing something over her head, 'halo around you…'

'Oh, my God, you're delirious!', she shook her head at the goofy grin on his face, took his hands and pulled him to sit besides her, 'Come on, Niles, there is something I must tell you before we marry'.

'We're already married', he informed her patiently.

CC huffed, 'Ugh! Don't make it more difficult than it already is!'

He raised his hands in a gesture of truce, 'All right, all right, I've got it. No interruptions. Go on'.

She waited for him to rest his hands on his lap and look at her in calm waiting. 'Niles, I… have been hiding something from you'.

He made a mildly intrigued face, 'Well, you must be really good at it, because I can't guess what it could be, and…', he raised his eyebrows, '…we're very intimate'.

'Yes, we are…', she smiled and observed when he chuckled and took her hand to kiss it, 'Listen, this is serious…'

'I don't take our intimacy lightly…', he answered, kissing her palm.

'I… I'll understand if you change your mind about the wedding after what I have to tell', she said and bit her lower lip, 'And please, stop it'.

He nodded, noticing she was distressed, lowered her hand, keeping it in his, and smiled at her, 'I highly doubt I'll change my mind, but if it is this important, just tell me already'.

'Niles…', CC looked into his eyes and saw how open he was to whatever she had to say. It gave her the courage she needed, 'I have been sick for almost two weeks. I feel horrible, with nausea, and… I don't know what is happening, but I think… These mood swings… You know what I mean…'

Niles frowned and looked at her with renewed attention, 'No, I don't… CC, please, what are you saying? What do you think is happening?'

She freed her hand from him and got up, standing agitatedly, 'What can it be, Niles?! What makes people nauseous and crazy but a brain tumor?!'

He put a hand over his heart, 'Oh, my God!'

She immediately went to sit besides him, again, 'Are you all right?'

He looked at her, agitated, 'Of course I'm not all right! My wife just told me she has been sick for a while, maybe seriously sick, and I didn't have a clue! How can I be all right?!', he changed his stance radically and put his hands on her arms, as if assessing her condition, 'How are you feeling, now? Are you in pain? Are you nauseous?'

'I'm ok, I threw up earlier. I freshened up and now I'll be all right for some hours. It's always like this'. Seeing he was nodding in understanding and seemed to have calmed down a bit, she said, 'Niles, try to understand. I didn't tell you earlier because I didn't want you to worry…'

'But it makes no sense, love', Niles pouted, caressing her tense shoulders, 'Every time you said you wanted to be alone… Every time you locked yourself in the bathroom… Do you really think not having a clue was better than sharing your worries? I kept thinking the worst scenarios!'

'Worst scenarios? What can be worse than a brain tumor?'

'The doubt', he countered, 'Or you not wanting to be with me anymore', he stated, shrugging as if it was obvious. Then, he sighed and caressed her hair soothingly, 'Really, you should have told me…'

CC made a face, 'I have no idea of what is happening… What would I tell you? Hazel, look out, I've been throwing up unexpectedly, and I have no idea what is causing it. Just to maintain you informed'.

He leaned his head to the side, 'That is what happened that morning in London, when I got out without warning you?'

'Yes', she said, shamefully, 'I woke up and felt sick, and you were not there… I was furious… and a bit frightened, but especially furious'.

He crossed his arms and shook his head, 'Do you have any idea of how confused you've made me, with the stomping foot and the yells and the angriness?'

'I'm really sorry…'

'Do you really think you have any idea?'

'Yes, I do…'

'No, I don't think so'.

'Niles, please…'

'It's easy for you to torment me like that and now ask me to let it go… You have no idea how I felt… I mean, I saw you going through a change and didn't know what it could be, once it was not a full moon… And you didn't move a finger to clarify things for me', he kept his arms crossed and looked at her with contempt. Then, his face showed the slightest of mirth, 'Nasty monster, you'.

She just looked at him for some moments, shocked. Then, she managed, 'Are you… joking?'

'Yes, I'm joking', he shrugged, 'And do you want to know why? Because I don't care'.

'W-What? You don't care… for me?'

Niles smiled tenderly and uncrossed his arms, 'CC, sick or not, you are my wife, I love you and, no matter what happens, all I want is for us to be happy and together. Let's enjoy our wedding day, and we can think of any problems after all of this is done'. Again, he took her hands and looked her softly in the eyes, 'Once you are feeling well enough to walk down that aisle… Or crazy enough to do it… If you are not, we can cancel it and just take care of you…'

She looked at their joined hands and blinked, 'No, it's ok, I'm feeling well, now, and… I was already crazy when I decided to marry you. This is just a silly confirmation…', they smiled at each other, but then she frowned, 'But… what if I am really sick? I don't want you tied to a woman who is going to be a heavy load…'

Niles shook his head, 'Do you remember when I told you I would make exams to be sure I was healthy for you?', she nodded, 'It was not because I thought I had to take care of myself alone, as if I couldn't count on you… It was because I wanted to prevent the possibility of being sick at all, as much as I could. We have been so happy, and we have so much to live, that I just wanted to be sure I'd be fit to enjoy it. I'm sure if I had anything, from a heart condition to a debilitating sickness, you would be by my side. As I will be, no matter what is it you have. If you have anything'.

CC facepalmed, 'The exams… I have forgotten about them…'

Misunderstanding her, he made a pained face, 'Don't worry about it now, dear. As soon as this ceremony is over, we'll see a doctor. Some exams are invasive, but I'll be with you all the time. Things will be all right'.

CC looked at him, 'No… My doctor… Exams… How didn't I think of it earlier?!'

Niles frowned, 'That is what normal people think about when they are sick... However, witches have other proceedings, and I understand sometimes you don't stay inside the realm of common sense…'

She shook her head emphatically, 'No, no, listen to me: I have made exams, already… Soon after you did yours, I wanted to show you how I cared, and I thought it would be great to have some results in hand…'

'Aw, Babs, how sweet of you!', he said, grinning lovingly at her.

She didn't even register his words, 'I'll phone my doctor right now!', she got up and went to her purse to find her cell phone, 'Maybe the exams have the answers we need… I can't believe I forgot them! Well, with all these changes of date and the crazy symptoms, no wonder I was lost…'

Niles got up and went to her, stopping her rambling and frantic searching by taking the bag from her hands and putting it back on the table where it was before, 'Baby, listen to me: there is nothing that could happen in your life that I don't want to be a part of. No matter what happens, we stick together'.

CC smiled tearfully, 'Oh, Niles… It was an awfully beautiful thing to say…'

He smiled back and sniffed, saying in an exaggerated way, 'We should stop it now, or our make up will be destroyed'. She laughed and he gave her a crooked smile, 'Forget the exams and just prepare for the wedding. Forget the world outside and just be my bride!'

She laughed even more at the rhyme and embraced him, 'All right, you fool, I'll be your bride. Just go there and wait for me. I still have…', she looked at the wall clock, '…ten minutes'.

He nodded and pecked her lips, 'You can bet I'll be waiting for you. However, if you're not there in the ten minutes mark, I'll be back here and take you on my shoulder, as I wanted to do since the beginning'.

'I'm lucky the Father is a traditional man', CC said, grinning, 'Now go! I need to refresh myself!'

He pecked her lips again and got out, passing through the curious women with a winning grin.

Everybody gathered at CC's door, while she just stayed there, in the middle of the room, smiling and staring into space.

Fran approached as if she was getting closer to a dangerous and unpredictable animal. When she was almost touching the woman's arm, CC moved suddenly, pointing to Grace, 'I need you to call a number in New York!'

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CC walked down the aisle somewhat calmer. She was not able to reach her doctor (it was Sunday, after all, and probably still night in New York), but she knew she had her exams ready, and she let her cell phone with the Little One (oh, ok, Grace), with the mission of bringing her any news she could get.

At least, now she was able to concentrate just in the ceremony.

Her father took her arm and she felt absolutely radiant. She saw a lot of known faces in the church, and she tried to acknowledge them, but once she locked stares with Niles, it was impossible to look away.

He was so absolutely crazily happy she didn't know how he was able to not explode.

Well, truth be said, she was feeling as if things could not be more perfect, too. That little scene they just had, when he dissolved her insecurities with his obvious feelings and clear support, lifted a heavy load from her shoulders.

She had been worried about these strange things that were happening in her body, but never had the guts to tell him. CC didn't want anything to stain that state of happiness they were living in. Of course, she could have destroyed everything with her crazy unexplained behavior, and she was lucky Niles could be so understanding.

(Well, maybe they were so perfect for each other, among other things, because he would never let her go, even in her worst moments).

CC knew Stewart had given her to Niles with a gentlemanly smile even if she was not able to look at her father. She had got over her annoyance at the concept of 'being given' when Niles mocked the idea saying it was obviously not this particular bride who was 'being given', but the defenseless groom.

This settled, she could keep looking at her beloved husband and his awed face, not feeling as an objectified woman being treated as propriety.

(It was funny to think all this started as a business deal, because now things could not be more distant from that).

The Father conducted the ceremony with a beautiful well-chosen calm tone, making a pretty sermon and mentioning things about the couple that he had been informed or witnessed in the last days: how much devoted to each other they were, how blessed with an intimate understand they seemed to be, how cherished for everybody they were – what was surely a reward for all the affection they had for the people they cared about.

CC enjoyed specially the part when the man mentioned the beauty of a mature love, cultivated by years of living side by side, knowing each other and learning how to be together.

(She had never thought about her and Niles relationship as something mature in that sense the man had talked, but the way he put it was touching, indeed.

And very convincing, because he had really seen them being… well, being Niles and CC. And he seemed to find it not just amusing, but blessed).

When the ceremony ended (and Niles and CC managed a sweet and chaste kiss, extracting a collective Aww from the assembly), they linked their arms and turned to the exiting of the chapel, all smiles.

People soon were all standing and they received applause, what surprised them and just made their smiles grew wider. It felt good to be cherished like this, seeing the sincere happiness in the faces of their beloved ones, and all because they were happy.

They started slowly for the exiting, but after the first steps Niles stopped, and CC looked at him to see what had happened.

Yetta had put a hand on his arm, and he was waiting for whatever she had to say.

The grandma opened her mouth and started lifting a finger slowly in the air.

Grace stood up hurriedly, behind the old woman, 'Not now, Yetta…'

Niles frowned and looked at CC. She shrugged, and when Niles turned back to Yetta, she saw the worried look at Grace's face and realized the news must be about her sickness. Her stomach dropped.

'What is it, Yetta?', Niles asked, giving his full attention to the elder.

She stage whispered in the small chapel, 'A doctor called'.

'Oh', Niles got worried and looked at CC, who made the fakest innocent face of all times. He sighed, deciding it was not worth discussing now. His witch (now, two times a wife!) must have managed to contact her doctor. He turned to Yetta, forcing a smile, 'And do you remember what she said?'

'Of course I do! You don't forget something like this! The girl told me!', she said, pointing to Grace, and then turned to the couple, again, 'Mazel Tov! You'll need it, Neil, with that floozy of a wife'.

Niles frowned, and looked at Grace, 'What does it mean? Isn't it Congratulations?'

Fran helped, from the seat behind them, 'Mazel Tov is Good Luck, sweetie'.

Grace nodded, 'But Congratulations would be ok, in this case, too'.

CC lost her patience, 'For God' sake!', she put a hand over her mouth, remembering where she was, 'Sorry. Can you just tell us what the doctor said? Am I dying?'

Grace looked around, a bit nervous, 'It's nothing bad, Miss Babcock, don't worry. Why don't we talk at the reception?'

'What is it?!', Niles and CC demanded, at the same time.

Yetta exclaimed, happily, 'You're pregnant, you naughty shiksa! Bravo, Neil!'

Everybody looked at Grace, and she looked shyly at Niles and CC, who were staring at her wide-eyed.

He was the first to be able to talk, 'Is that true?'

'Yes, it is', the girl answered, starting to smile as the shock on the couple's faces made they slowly turn to each other.

And faint.

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Two days later, they were finally at the beach, in the tropical paradise they had chosen.

CC was sitting under a parasol, looking up at Niles, who was approaching with her pineapple juice.

Even with his dark glasses not letting her see his always so expressive eyes, it was obvious how happy he was, by the way he walked with a bounce on his step.

She smiled to herself: she never thought she would experiment a feeling like this. They had woke up in the chapel, both circled by different groups of people, and once they woke up, they immediately searched for each other and looked at each other and started kissing and jumping and saying how unbelievable the news were and, at the same time, how believable the news were, because it was… well, Niles and CC.

The reception after the ceremony found them in cloud nine, dancing and being absolutely giddy about the whole thing: it was not just about being together, anymore, but about seeing a miracle come true.

A second miracle, if you consider their peaceful union as the first one.

(Thinking better, they should be used to miracles, by now).

CC surely enjoyed seeing Niles so happy, but teasing was a second nature to her. So, when he arrived, pecked her lips, gave her the drink and sat by her side in the other chair, she asked, 'Aren't your face hurting?'

'No. Why would it be?', he asked, taking out his dark glasses to look at himself in the lens, 'Am I burned?'

'No. You just didn't stop smiling since we woke up at the chapel'.

'Really?', he looked at her, the smile still there.

'Really'.

'Well… You shouldn't be talking', he shrugged, 'There isn't just one way of smiling'.

CC squinted at him over her own dark glasses, 'What is that supposed to mean?'

He grinned, 'Your eyes are smiling since we woke up, too'.

For a moment, she just looked at him. Then, she slapped his arm, 'Dear God, Niles! How are we supposed to raise a child with you being corny like this?!'

He chuckled, put his eyewear again, and relaxed on the chair, 'You know… I'm sure we will make it great', he rubbed his arm, 'At least, the strong paternal figure is guaranteed'.

CC relaxed too, 'We just have to take care with the people who will want to help. I mean, do you remember how they were hovering over us when we woke up? Those vultures'.

'It must have been frightening to you, since it reminds you of the last time the villagers opened your coffin with stakes in their hands'.

'Good, Butler Boy', she patted his arm, 'Now I feel at home'.

He smirked at her and joined their hands between the chairs, 'I feel at home since you asked me to marry you'.

'Will you just stop it?'

'No… When I met you, I just knew where home was, but didn't know if you would let me in. And then you opened the door'.

'Won't you stop it?'

'Just when you stop being a wandering miracle'.

CC was ready to say how much it disturbed her, but then she noticed it really didn't – she was grinning, feeling in peace and enjoying his affection.

She realized they had reached a point where they both could make and receive compliments, because they were sincere forms of expressing their unique kind of love.

'All right, Butler Boy', CC turned to the sea, closing her eyes, 'You want to disturb me, but I won't let you'.

Silence. CC tugged at the joined hands without turning to him, 'Hey! Keep trying!'

Niles chuckled, 'Don't forget it was you who started it'.

'Uhm?'

'You started it when you appeared at the door, twenty years ago, all magnificent and proud; you started it when you acted as if I was invisible, until I couldn't take it anymore and had to make you look at me; and finally, you started it when you said I was the closest thing to your other half you have ever found, all businesslike and incredibly affectionate at the same time'.

Silence, again. This time, a longer one.

It was Niles' time to tug at the hands, 'Are you all right?'

CC was still silent for some moments, and then he felt her hold on his hand grew stronger, 'Yes, I started it. And I don't regret a single moment of it…', she finally turned to him, smiling, 'daddy'.

'Damn', was all he managed to mutter, taking off the glasses again to dry his watery eyes, while CC grinned and sipped the juice he had brought, enjoying the sweetness of it all.

The End