Chapter 7

Complete consciousness was eluding C.C. – or at least that's what it felt like as she slowly awoke from her slumber. It was as though a metaphorical vine had curled itself around her brain, and was encouraging her to stay asleep, wrapped in a safe, warm embrace.

The idea was tempting, but the former producer forced herself to open her eyes and fight the overwhelming need to sleep. After a night of passion, it hadn't surprised C.C. that they'd fallen asleep – it truly had been a wonderful, if incredibly tiring, experience – but it surprised her that she was the first to awoke.

Niles was lying by her side, seemingly deeply asleep. His factions were relaxed, his arms were still wrapped around her body and he was only half covered by the sheets.

God... this was a wonderful way to wake up!

Carefully (both to not awake Niles and because she still had little possibility of movement due to the cast) she disentangled herself from Niles and sat up.

She was still naked from before, and she basked in the feeling of freedom that being able to be that way and not needing to worry about Amelia seeing her produced. The girl was asleep, so she still had some time to relax and stay in bed with Niles before he had to go and wake her up.

She looked down at her body, and for the first time in years she actually smiled. Those stretch marks – a residue of the pregnancy that had both changed and given meaning to her life – were no longer a concern, and she was thankful. Niles had cherished and venerated her body, and she was embracing things she had once considered flaws (such as the marks or the slight widening of her hips).

She sometimes struggled to believe just how much her body had changed due to the pregnancy... To be honest, it felt like it was yesterday when her stomach was the size of a watermelon!

C.C. smiled to herself; she remembered her pregnancy fondly. The feeling of Amelia kicking her or moving inside her still had a certain magic...

Absentmindedly rubbing her stomach, C.C. scrambled over for the small album inside her night table's drawer.

Back when she was 8 months pregnant, she had actually agreed to make an artistic photoshoot of her pregnancy. It had all been an idea of Noel's boyfriend, Edward, whose sister was a professional photographer.

She remembered she had expressed a desire to have pretty pictures to remember her pregnancy with Amelia, so Edward had not only given a suggestion she had loved, but he had also kindly put her in touch with his sister. The photos that resulted from this shooting, were precious to her, but she had never shown them to anyone. They were quite intimate and special, so she only wanted to share them with only a special person.

Besides, she was half-naked in some of them.

She rested her back against the mound of pillows that were propped against the headboard and began to browse the album. Suddenly, she was distracted by Niles shifting awake. She didn't close the album or hide it, but rather she smiled down at the man and ran her free hand through his hair.

"Hey there," he rasped.

"Hey there yourself," she tried to bend down and give him a kiss, but her ribs didn't seem to agree.

Noticing she had winced, the butler quickly sat up and gave her a kiss himself. He didn't want her to move if it hurt her. He rested his forehead against hers as they pulled away, but his attention was then grabbed by the leather bound album C.C. had in her hands.

Almost as if sensing he had noticed the album, she chuckled and placed it on his lap.

"You yenta!" the woman teased.

"What is it?" he asked.

C.C. merely opened it to explain herself. And when she did so, they came across with a breath-taking picture.

It was a black-and-white picture depicting a heavily pregnant C.C.. It was a beautiful and artistic shot – C.C.'s back was partially facing the camera, and only part of her face and her bump were illuminated. As her body was against the light, the rest of her very pregnant body was distinguishable only as a black silhouette. One of her arms were covering her breasts while the other lay by her side; the hand that was attached to it was resting on the side of her stomach.

Niles stared at the picture in awe. She was absolutely gorgeous! He turned the pages, studying each picture he came across carefully, his eyes tracing every curve, and his fingers gently brushing over her stomach...

The photographer had done a beautiful job, but how could they not when the subject was so stunning?

C.C. watched Niles in fascination. She had wondered how he would react to the pictures, fearing maybe he wouldn't like them for some reason. But of course she had been proved wrong, and she was delighted for it. The way he'd worshipped and adored her body earlier that day should have told her so.

"You like them?" she asked, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear so it was out of her eyes.

"I love them!" Niles replied, a smile lighting up his features as he looked between her and the photographs. "You look absolutely wonderful!"

C.C. didn't know about that – she had been huge – but she was grateful for the compliment, and for the fact that Niles loved her no matter what she looked like. It certainly had taken a special someone. She wanted to try and kiss him again, but of course her ribs wouldn't stand for her leaning over, so she made do by taking his hand and entwining their fingers.

"Thank you," she said quietly. "I was...kind of wondering what you'd think, seeing me do a shoot like this..."

Niles gave a half-smirk, "You think I'd be scornful, considering this means another method of seeing you at least partially naked?"

C.C. pretended to look unimpressed, "You know what I'm getting at. These photos are extremely personal, and I thought maybe to another person I'd look..."

She trailed off, not completely sure of how to finish her sentence.

Niles sighed, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Well, you know my opinion now; I think the photos are brilliant. As is your body, both during your pregnancy and after."

C.C. blushed. It was unlike her, of course, but she couldn't help it. She'd become incredibly self-conscious since her pregnancy, but Niles' words had helped her to begin overcoming the fear of not being desirable.

Well... after last night she knew for a fact that he found her anything but undesirable. If the way he'd touched and loved her were anything to go by, she needn't worry about the changes in her body anymore.

"God... you are so corny!" she eventually said, swatting at his arm. She couldn't help it – the whole dealing with her feelings issue was still a bit difficulty for her, while zingers were almost a second nature to them.

"Only for you, my love," he placed a kiss on her cheek, making her smile. He knew she was touched by his words, but at the same time she still struggled to show it. C.C. was, by nature, an abrasive woman, and dealing with feelings (or expressing them) was still hard for her.

He wasn't going to pressure her, either. He was just fine with the pace she had chosen for their relationship. She called the shots, and he had no problem with this.

And on that matter, they still had to discuss the whole issue of him moving in!

He wouldn't lie – he was absolutely thrilled by the prospect of moving in with her, but before doing so they needed to address important details such as the Sheffields or what were their expectations on the matter.

"While we're on the subject of me being and doing things for you," he began. "Have you given any more thought to my suggestion about telling the Sheffields?"

C.C. pulled a face. She had given it some thought, and she wasn't sure how it was going to go. She couldn't fully see them taking it well, that was for sure. Maxwell had his routine and Niles incorporated a large part of that.

She wasn't sure what her former business associate would do.

But she also supposed the only way to know would be to take the chance and find out.

"Some," she replied. "I think we should tell them as soon as possible, for one thing."

"I quite agree," Niles nodded along.

"And maybe set a date for you to actually officially move in," she continued. "That way they know it's coming, and Amelia and I can prepare. And no one will feel rushed by it because everyone will know it's on its way."

"Sounds fair to me," Niles assented. "And what do you think if I move in next week? More specifically, on your birthday – seeing as I was planning on taking the day off to celebrate it with you, I could use it to start moving my things from the Sheffield mansion to yours."

"Ours," C.C. corrected him, entwining their fingers together and giving him a warm smile. "And that sounds like a plan! We only need to tell the Sheffields and Amelia. Although I think we should tell her after we tell the Sheffields, in case something goes wrong."

Niles nodded again, his chest still feeling warm due to her referring to her home as theirs. It might sound stupid, but it was the first time in his life that Niles felt like he truly and really belonged somewhere – and not as just a member of the staff, but actually as a member of the family.

He knew it was too soon to say it aloud, but he finally felt at home.

"Alright... that leaves the Sheffields. Do you want me to call them?"

"Well... I don't know! Maybe we should have this conversation in person," C.C. said. "Maybe we could call them to put them abreast but invite them over to talk about you moving out."

That certainly sounded like a better idea. They both suspected Maxwell wouldn't exactly like him going – after all, he had only allowed Niles some time off to take care of C.C. after Fran intervened – so it would be best if they gave him some times to begin digesting the news before they actually discussed the details of Niles' new living arrangements with him.

"Good idea..." Niles then stretched over towards his bedside table and took the handset in his hand.

He dialled in the familiar number, and waited for someone to pick up.

Eventually, a nasal voice greeted him, "Hello?"

"Mrs Sheffield?"

"Oh, hi, Niles!" Fran sounded brighter when she realised who she was speaking to. "How are things?"

"Things are just fine, thank you," Niles replied, turning to give C.C. an encouraging smile. "In fact, they are a little better than fine-"

"You're getting married!" the former nanny interrupted, sounding delighted before he could stop her. "Oy, it's going to be so beautiful! You gotta let me help-"

"Miss Fine!" Niles raised his voice, halting his friend in her tracks. "We're not. That's a step for the future, still. We were...talking about something else – a step in that direction, but not quite so serious. We were wondering if...perhaps, you and Mr Sheffield would like to come over and discuss the possibility of me moving in here permanently?"

He held his breath as he waited for her answer. It was quite possibly better that he'd broken this news to Fran instead of Maxwell, but he was still nervous about what she would say.

"So... you aren't coming back ta the mansion?" Fran said softly, almost as if she herself was still trying to comprehend the news.

"Indeed," Niles replied evenly, trying not to let his nervousness show.

"And you won't be comin' back because you will be livin' with Miss Babcock...?" Fran queried once again.

"That's correct, Mrs Sheffield."

Again there was silence between the two friends. It made him wonder what exactly was going on inside Fran's head, but the sudden, excited yelp coming from the other end told him everything he needed to know.

"Oy I am so happy for you two!" the former nanny exclaimed. Niles could almost see her bouncing in excitement. "Congratulations, Scarecrow!"

Well... at least Fran was on their side. It was a blessing – they'd need all the support if they wanted Maxwell to accept their decision. Not that his opinion would change it, of course, but they'd rather have his support in this new stage of their relationship (not to mention Niles did want to keep his job).

"Thank you, Mrs Sheffield," the butler said, beginning to smile. "Would you like to come over for breakfast? You can bring Miss Eve and Master Jonah, if you want."

"Gosh, yes!" Fran squealed. "Ya don't know just how much we miss your homemade breakfasts! Especially since we've taken to order in ever since you've been gone."

Of course, no one in the house had properly cooked since he'd been gone. None of them really knew how. He hoped that his moving permanently would be an incentive for them to learn. But he couldn't begrudge them one more breakfast. it was the least they deserved, and they were their friends...

"Well, come on over, then," he smiled. "I'll make you all a nice breakfast, just like old times."

"That's great, sweetie," he knew Fran would be smiling back. "I'll get the kids up, and talk to Maxwell, and we'll be over in no time, okay? Give you kids time to get dressed."

"Of course," he said. "We'll see you soon, then."

"That you will," Fran seemed to have turned away from the phone briefly, because her voice got further away, but then she came back. "See you soon, Niles!"

And so, the line went dead, leaving Niles with a feeling that things wouldn't be as easy as he'd hoped they'd be.

"Are they coming over?" C.C. asked, moving closer to him and wrapping her arms around his middle.

"Yes. We are having breakfast with them," Niles said, kicking the duvet aside and jumping out of bed. "I have to get out meal started now, but I'll help you get dressed and wake Amelia up first."

C.C.'s mobility was still reduced, so she truly depended on Niles for basic tasks such as getting dressed or moving from room to room. Not to get her wrong, she could get dressed on her own, but she needed someone to hand her the clothes from the closet or help her slip her trousers or sweatpants on.

"Okay," she said, pulling him down for a kiss before he walked into their closet. He quickly got dressed before picking out and outfit for C.C. – a light-blue shirt, a white, woollen sweater and black yoga pants (which were one of the few garments she could use seeing while having a cast on her leg).

After he'd finished helping C.C. with her clothes, Niles dropped a kiss on her forehead and took off for Amelia's room. Seeing as it was early in the morning, it didn't surprise him when he found her still sound asleep underneath the covers of her bed, and with her toy monkey safely held in her arms.

"Amelia?" he murmured, gingerly moving towards her bed. "Amelia?"

"Mm?" the little girl mumbled in her state of half-sleep, and rolled over, hugging her monkey.

"Amelia," Niles reached out a hand and shook the covers lightly. "Mia, sweetheart, it's time to wake up..."

"Mm..." Amelia opened her eyes and peered up at him. "What's going on...? Is it morning?"

"Yes, sweetheart," he replied, seating himself on the edge of her mattress. "And Jonah and Eve are coming over with their parents, for breakfast."

That made Amelia's eyes open more, and she pulled herself upright, "Really?!"

"Yes indeed they are," Niles couldn't help but grin at the little girl's enthusiasm when her friends were mentioned. "So we have to get up and get ready for them! Can't be seen lazing around in our pyjamas when guests are coming, now can we?"

Amelia giggled, leaving her monkey on her pillow, "No..."

She hopped out of bed, and Niles began to help her get dressed.

Just as he'd done for her mother, Niles helped the girl choose the warmest and most stylish clothes that could be found in her closet. That particular winter had been colder than usual, and Niles wanted to make sure that Amelia didn't catch a cold. Winter break was only a week away, and he wanted the little girl to be able to enjoy it!

"There, all set," Niles said as he finished tying Amelia's shoelaces. "Now, do you want to go say hi to Mommy while I cook breakfast?"

"Sure! But can I help you with breakfast, too?" the girl asked as both she and Niles walked out of her room and into the hallway.

"Of course, sweetheart," Niles smiled down at her. "Meet you in the kitchen, then?"

"Mh-hm," Amelia hugged his legs and skipped to her Mommy's room.

Meanwhile, Niles climbed down the stairs and got breakfast started. Usually, on Saturdays he prepared some hotcakes for Amelia and scrambled eggs and toast for him and C.C., but seeing as the Sheffields were coming he prepared a wider selection of dishes.

Pancakes, hotcakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, toast... dish after dish was swiftly prepared and carefully laid on the kitchen counter. When Amelia finally arrived, she helped Niles set the table and prepare some coffee, tea and orange juice for them and their guests.

Once everything was ready, both Niles and Amelia gave their work a once over and nodded proudly.

"I think we are done here," he said. "Don't you think?"

"Yup! Now we need to help Mommy down so she can see it, too!" Amelia replied, hugging Niles' legs once again.

Niles chuckled, and patted her on the head, "Alright, then. We'll go and bring her down here. But you have to make sure you stand well back when I'm carrying her downstairs, alright?"

"Why?" the little girl asked curiously as they began to move back upstairs.

"So that no one trips, or falls and hurts themselves," the butler explained. "I don't want to drop your Mommy. Somehow, I don't think she'd like that very much."

Amelia giggled, "Yeah, she'd be real mad!"

"You can say that again, sweetie!" came a voice not too far from the top of the stairs.

Niles couldn't help but smirk. He should have known she'd be listening in. They made it to the room, and Niles rounded the side of the bed to slip his arms under C.C. and lifted her up, holding her close so she could wind her arms around his neck for support.

"You still look like a Disney princess, Mommy!" Amelia was nearly jumping up and down in her delight.

C.C. grinned over at her daughter, "Even with this big old thing in the way?"

"The cast is of no importance whatsoever," Niles cut in.

"Oh, I wasn't talking about the cast," there was a spark of mischief in C.C.'s eyes. "I meant the big old thing that's carrying me."

"Oh, so that's what I am, eh?" Niles' eyes had a playful glint in them, too.

Suddenly, Niles pretended to let go of C.C., who tightened her grip on him and yelped. Of course he would have never let her go, but scaring her... that was another story entirely.

"Ups," he said with feigned innocence. "Sorry, my joints aren't what they once were."

C.C. glared at him and swatted at the back of his head, making Amelia chuckle (and Niles had to stifle a laugh, too).

"Asshole," C.C. hissed as Niles began carrying her out of the room.

"But you wouldn't have me any other way!" Niles retorted, and pecked her cheek.

C.C. rolled her eyes but said nothing. Honestly, the amused half-smile she was trying to suppress said it all. Once they got to the first floor, Amelia rushed to the living-room and pushed C.C.'s wheelchair towards where she and Niles awaited. The butler then gently lowered C.C. into it and pushed the chair to the table, where her usual cup of coffee awaited.

Almost as if on cue, there was a knock on the door – the Sheffields had arrived.

"They are here!" Amelia cried out, skipping towards the door with Niles hot on her heels.

And indeed, behind the door awaited the Sheffield twins, Fran and Maxwell. The latter however, had a rather strange look on his face. Almost as if he was trying to hide his discontent.

"Hey guys!" Mia exclaimed as she hugged Jonah and Eve. "Hi Mr and Mrs Sheffield!"

"Hey there, Mia!" Fran gave the little girl a hug as well as she stepped into the house. "How are you?"

"I'm good, thank you," Amelia released Fran, to wander back over to Niles and take his hand. "I helped make breakfast this morning!"

"That's great!" Fran beamed down at the little ones joyfully, before noticing her husband didn't appear to have the same amount of enthusiasm as everyone else. She discreetly elbowed him in the side. "Isn't it great that Mia helped Niles make breakfast today, honey?"

The nudge from his wife brought Maxwell to the present, it seemed, and he plastered a more convincing smile to his face.

"It is indeed!" he replied, closing the door behind them. "So, how about we go and see C.C., and allow the young ones to get their food, hmm?"

Something in his tone definitely didn't sound right, and Niles was starting to worry.

But he couldn't show it in front of the children, and they did all need to go and grab their food.

"That sounds like a rather good idea to me," he agreed, and the little party turned to head into the kitchen, the children rushing ahead as Amelia told them pancakes were available.

After the twins had greeted C.C. with a customary hug, Niles prepared their plates and took them to the coffee table in the living room, right in front of the TV, which was already on. He then brought their drinks and helped them settle comfortably so they could have breakfast while watching cartoons.

Part of him didn't really want to go back to the kitchen – judging by Maxwell's mood, this wasn't going to be an easy conversation – but he knew he just had to suck it up and do it. And indeed, the silence that reigned in the kitchen was stifling and uncomfortable, but Niles made his best to try and appear he wasn't worried. He poured cups of tea for both he and Maxwell and some coffee for C.C. and Fran.

"Well, dig in!" Niles exclaimed as he sat on the chair next to C.C.'s.

Fran immediately followed the butler's suggestion, but Maxwell didn't. He still seemed upset, and it showed.

"So… you wanted to discuss somethin' with us?" Fran said as she greased her toast with butter. "Somethin' about you movin' out?"

C.C. gulped – Maxwell's displeased expression only worsened. This truly wasn't going to be an easy conversation... "Yes... indeed. We... well, we wanted to tell you that Niles is moving with me... permanently."

Both Niles and C.C. then held their breath, waiting for the fallout. She actually felt Niles' squeezing her thigh from underneath the table in an attempt to soothe her nerves. By this stage both of them knew Maxwell wasn't happy about it, but his feelings about it weren't going to change their plans.

They'd rather have his support, that's all...

"And what brought about this idea, exactly?" Maxwell asked, staring down at his untouched plate and cup of tea. "I mean, I am well aware of how a romantic relationship works, but the two of you haven't exactly been together for long."

C.C. replaced the coffee she'd been sipping at on the table, "We feel like we've been together long enough to make that decision, Maxwell. And besides, it's not like we've only just met!"

They had known each other for decades before deciding that they should be together. Why was he treating it like they were rushing into anything?

"No, but I can suspect that you haven't really and properly talked about it, either," Maxwell continued, finally looking up at them. "How much of it have you actually taken into consideration? Schedules, timing, what Amelia thinks about all of this?"

That felt a bit like a slap in the face, and it hurt all the more coming from their friend.

She knew he'd probably take it badly, but this was something else!

"Well, we planned on telling Amelia after we'd spoken with you, bus so far she's been perfectly happy for Niles living with us, actually," C.C. replied, staring daggers at Maxwell. "And we've given it all the thought it requires, considering it's basically been the three of us for some time now. Of course, I am aware that that presents an issue for you, seeing as it will mean Niles will be here in the mornings, instead of at the mansion."

Maxwell wouldn't admit it, but C.C. had almost hit the nail right on its head. It wasn't that he didn't want Niles to move out of the mansion just because of the nuisance that not having him in their home would cause, but rather because of the feeling of being... abandoned?... that his departure caused in him.

Back when C.C. had first gone away, it hadn't been easy for Maxwell to adapt to one of his closest friends being gone for an indefinite time. Rationally, he knew Niles wasn't really going, but in a sense he just couldn't help the fear that he'd end up abandon them in the end.

Part of him knew he should feel happy for his friends, but at the same time he was struggling to come to terms with this.

"Max, honey, I think it's a wonderful idea," Fran intervened, giving her husband a look. "And we'll just have ta get used to havin' breakfast a little later, that's all."

"Oh, really?" he scoffed. "First it was having to tolerate a few weeks without him while C.C. got better and now he is leaving for good! How long will it take for us to have to get used to not have him at all, huh?"

The other three people gaped at Maxwell. Neither of them could believe how hateful he was being, and they couldn't understand it...

Why was he so angry?

Did he blame C.C. for this? And if so, why? It wasn't like Niles was abandoning them for good!

"Maxwell, honey..." Fran was almost completely speechless at her husband's rudeness.

"Fran, I know what I'm doing," Maxwell said sternly, never taking his eyes from the blonde couple.

"I'm not totally convinced you do, Maxwell," C.C. told him, keeping her voice level despite the shock of having a friend talk about her and Niles that way. "Why are you so dead-set against this happening? Do you think I'm suddenly going to expect Niles to stay here all the time, and never go to yours, even though we're all friends, and even though he works there?"

"You could just as easily find him another job!" Maxwell snapped. "And you have your own money, why even bother doing that if he can be here?"

He seemed to be lashing out. Like a wounded animal. Like he felt threatened; Niles could almost sense the dread his employer felt about something in relation to this, in relation to his leaving.

"Can I cut in here? I feel like I should say something," the butler piped up, abandoning the cutlery he'd been holding since the start of the conversation. "Mr Sheffield, I am not planning on going anywhere, if that's what you're worried about."

"How can I know that for sure when C.C. went away without telling anyone at all and didn't come back for six years?!" Maxwell finally blurted out.

So that was it...

His dread stemmed from the fear of his family – because, Niles knew, Maxwell considered him and C.C. part of the family – falling apart. He had seen his friend struggle during the years C.C. had been gone, but what he didn't understand was that now that she was back neither of them would ever leave again.

C.C. had left because she'd been in a bad place, not because she had grown bored or because she had stopped thinking about the Sheffields as her affections. Maxwell had nothing to fear, and it was up to them to make him see this.

"Mr Sheffield..." Niles started.

"Niles," C.C. interrupted him, grasping his hand and squeezing it. "I think I should speak seeing as I was the one to leave in the first place."

Niles grimaced, but didn't argue. He knew that this was something C.C. and Maxwell had to resolve.

"Fine..." she turned her head to Maxwell and heaved a sigh, "Maxwell, you know as well as I do why I left all those years ago."

The British producer looked away and crossed his arms over his chest. His body language clearly showed he was trying to protect himself, but at the same time he couldn't bring himself to voice his deepest fears – the fear of losing his friends; his family...

"Yes I do," he retorted in a clipped voice. "But I never understood why you didn't come back. We could have helped you! Been there!"

"But I wasn't ready," C.C. cut him off. "I was pregnant and scared and I felt the weight of the world was on my shoulders! Can you, for a second, imagine how being a single mother felt like?" she made a pause to sip a bit of coffee so as to relieve her dry throat. "Or my fear of being judged? Because even one of the people who was supposed to love me unconditionally had deserted me! My own mother said that I was dead to her and that I was a disgrace to the Babcock name..." C.C. could feel Niles' tightening his grip on her hand. "I was scared... and that's why I didn't come back."

Maxwell's features softened some, but not enough for C.C. to feel comfortable with letting the issue go.

"I was afraid that the few people I had left would abandon me, too," she continued. "And that's why I didn't come back. I felt I was holding back some sort of rejection – if I wasn't there, then no one could hurt me. But none of you were going to hurt me. You all took me back, welcomed me with open arms. And I'd be damned to let that slip away from me again, Maxwell. You both said about how much you guys considered me family, well, I consider you family, too! And the last thing I want in the world is to break my family apart."

She was on the verge of tears by this stage, and Niles clutched her hand tightly, stroking her knuckles to provide as much comfort as he could while she was in her chair. A hug from this angle, while it would have been very welcome indeed, wasn't really possible.

Niles felt that this was his moment to say his piece.

"We can both confidently state, sir, that the last thing either of us intend to do is leave any of you," he said, sure to look his employer in the face as he did. "We are a family, all together, and that will never change. Just like me going to the mansion every day won't change. I will still be your loyal servant, even if I do have more people to be loyal to these days."

Maxwell had almost completely softened by this stage, "So… you're not going anywhere?"

C.C. felt like swatting him for even asking after everything that had just been said, and would have done, if it hadn't been for her being in the chair, and if Fran hadn't spoken up first.

"Honey, they just said they're not leavin'! Would ya perhaps give 'em some credit?" she muttered to him. "They're our family, and they just promised they're not goin' anywhere. We should believe them!"

"Right... of course, of course..." Maxwell mumbled, his anger slowly fading away.

"Besides," Fran added, placing her hands on her sides. "Why did ya think he'd leave?! He is only movin' out! Oy, you sound like my mother when I told her Danny had dumped me..."

Maxwell shrugged, probably realising just how stupid his fears sounded when said aloud and with a clear mind. "I'm sorry, honey, I guess I just... uh..."

"Overreacted?" Niles offered.

"Yeah... that," Maxwell finally took a sip of his now lukewarm tea. "But when you put it that way, yes I think it's wonderful that you two move in together! Congratulations!"

Both Niles and C.C. forced themselves not to roll their eyes. Maxwell was trying to make it up to them after having almost ruined a perfectly good morning, so they could try as well.

"Thank you, Maxwell," C.C. said. "And now that we've sorted this out, we have to discuss the technical aspects of Niles moving out. Like when it's going to happen."

"We thought about me moving in on C.C.'s birthday next week," Niles cut in. "Is it alright to you?"

Maxwell almost seemed to bail on the idea again after hearing the date would be so close, but one look from Fran was enough to keep him smiling.

"Yes, yes, absolutely!" he drank more of his tea, which was probably almost like a punishment with how it would have tasted by that stage, but it seemed to keep him busy. "You can bring things with you little by little over the next few days, and you'll be all set by the actual date. I mean, it's really only fair to leave the actual day open, isn't it?"

That idea didn't sound too bad to Niles or C.C., actually. And it seemed like Maxwell was making himself adjust to the plan, which they were grateful for. And so they were agreed. To break any remaining tension, Fran suggested that they actually tuck into the breakfast that had been prepared for them, before that got cold as well.

All the adults around the table were happy to do that, if simply for the opportunity to talk about something else after a stressful confrontation. They were relieved it was resolved, though. No one could imagine leaving anyone else sat around that table, alone, and without anyone to keep them as a family member or a friend.

They were too close for that, and nothing – especially not fear – was going to keep them apart.

AN: Hey there! Sorry for the long wait :/ it's just college and work have kept us busy these past days! It's been hectic...

But here we are, at last! We hope you liked this new chapter and, as usual, we would adore to read your comments!

H&L