A/N: I've been writing and re-writing the succeeding 3 chapters for the last two weeks. I hope you enjoy them and leave me a comment or message how you think of them. Thanks for taking time to read. I love these characters and I enjoy taking them for a ride.
All dressed in his Sunday tailored khakis, light blue polo shirt, and matching jacket, Niles brushed his hair with his fingers in front of the hallway mirror, looking forward to roaming around Rockefeller Center with Ms. Fine. He mentally checked if he had brought needed with him; his wallet with his ATM card, credit card, HM gift card. Both he and Ms. Fine got it as a present from Margaret last Christmas, but he had not gotten around to using his yet.
Fixing the slight crease on his jacket, and patiently waiting for Fran, Grace came down the stairs smiling at him.
"Don't you look spiffy, Niles. You look like you just came out of a Spring Collection catalogue."
"Thank you, Gracie. Nice of you to say so," smiled Niles.
"I wonder what's taking Ms. Fine too long. She usually finishes getting ready ahead of me, all set for a leisure Sunday on the mall," said Niles.
Fran yelled from the top of the stairs wrapped in her bathrobe, her hair in disarray, her face bare without make-up.
"I'm not coming Niles. I've got a cold. You hear my voice…" she said.
"You always sound like you have a cold. It's the second time you stood me up on our usual date. I hope what you have is nothing serious," said Niles with genuine concern instead of annoyance which intensified the guilt that Fran felt.
Date… That word bothered her.
"I just need to sleep on it," yelled Fran before disappearing on top of the stairs.
Fran felt absolutely awful. She loved her friendship with Niles. It was like having another girlfriend except that he had a man's point of view, broadening her perspective. He was also always sensible, kept her in line, reminded her when she was impulsive in her actions. Why did he had to fall I love with her? And with the way it looked how things ended with Ada he was into her badly. How can she tell him she loved him as her best buddy, and she didn't wat to lose what they had as great buddies.
Gracie saw the disappointed look on his face and cheered him up.
"Don't be sad Niles. It's a great day. You can still enjoy your day off," said Gracie.
"But it wouldn't be fun without Fran…"
"Of course it will, you can take Ms. Babcock with you," she suggested just as CC came out of the hall from the office.
Niles was speechless at her suggestion.
"Don't you want to spend your Sunday shopping Ms. Babcock instead of drowning yourself in all that pile of paper which you can do tomorrow," suggested Gracie cheerfully.
CC languidly sat on the living room sofa in her floral light blue and white strapless long dress that clung to her body.
"There's nothing I want more but my girlfriends are all out of town with their boyfriends, so I'll just spend my Sunday working," she stated.
"Seeing you don't have a boyfriend…"
"Fine. Rub it in," muttered CC, crossing over to the kitchen to get herself a glass of orange juice.
Gracie and Niles followed behind.
"Why don't you go with Niles," said Gracie.
"What?!" the duo cried I unison.
"Why would I want to be with her? asked Niles in disinterest.
"She's no fun at all."
CC glared at him, "the feeling is mutual. I'd rather spend my time doing the books… damn that accountant quitting on us…"
She settled on the counter, drinking her orange juice.
Gracie felt if she couldn't be Nancy Drew she might as well be cupid. She read a book on Greek Mythology for young adults and there was this picture of Cupid wearing a bow and arrow, the son of the goddess of love. This time she would be successful in helping Niles get the woman he loved. She can't give up.
"I heard there's a sale in Bergdorf Goodman… or was it in Neiman Marcus…" teased Gracie as CC's eyes grew wide in interest.
"Think of that, twice as many clothes you could buy… and all the lipstick you want…" she continued.
"And the anti-aging creams and hyaluronic acid to keep her from looking half a century…."
Gracie jabbed Niles with her elbow to shut him up.
CC made a face and glared at Niles before turning back to Gracie.
"You see. It's no fun trying on clothes and a jackass telling you that you look old, you look big, you look horrible in that color..."
Niles' couldn't take his eyes off CC. She looked great in everything and bet even in the old kitchen rag. How he hated being in the same room with her. He couldn't get anything done just staring at her, admiring her beauty and how much he longed to take those expensive clothes off her and savor the loveliness they conceal. Insulting her was the only way to keep him sane. Perhaps if he convinced everyone how homely she looked, maybe if he kept saying out loud she looked like a cow he'd convince himself.
"Ignore his remarks. You know very well it's not true. Niles will be glad to carry all those packages you bought."
"I will?"
"He will?"
Both cried in unison.
"Come on Niles. It's better to go shopping with Ms. Babcock than moping in the house because Fran couldn't go do your girls-day-out. You can show her she's not the only girl friend you've got," laughed Gracie.
"Aww…. So you got stood up by Nanny Fine. So, what am I chopped liver?"
Gracie gave Niles a wink to encourage him.
Niles, this is your chance. Grab it or it may never happen again.
"Your slave for the day. I'd carry your shopping spree stuff without complaint. And scouts honor, no derogatory remarks," said Niles casually.
There was nothing better in the world that Niles would love to do than spend the day with Ms. Babcock, the love of his life. If he would die tomorrow, he'd be content.
"I don't suppose Niles would do that for free. What's in it for you?" asked CC crossing her hands on her chest, eyeing him suspiciously.
She stepped too close Niles could smell a whiff of her perfume and his eyes stared into her shimmering lips the color of sunshine in the summer. Not anyone can look great wearing that orange hue, but it just looked gorgeous on her lips that I want to kiss her, thought Niles.
"A kiss…" he replied absent-mindedly.
"What?" asked CC in confusion.
Gracie jabbed Niles once again to get him back to reality.
"I heard that," Gracie whispered to him with a glint in her eyes.
His eyes grew wide with shock. How can he be so careless.
Keep it together Niles, he scolded himself. Keep in mind you loath her, she's ugly.
"He said the Ritz. He could do with a nice dinner at the Ritz after he carried all your things," said Gracie.
CC smiled. "That can be arranged. It's a deal then."
Niles found himself lost once again. She rarely smiled affably. Her smile was often diabolical and to see her smile like an angel just made his heart flutter. Can he survive the day with her without showing his true feelings. Little Gracie seemed aware. Why else would she insist he spend the day with Ms. Babcock and give him that teasing smile when Ms. Babcock agreed on our shopping date.
"Just a sec. Let me fix the papers in the office and I'll be all set," she excitedly said before dashing out of the kitchen door.
"Oh Gracie, what have you gotten me into," said Niles trying to keep a straight a face.
"It's going to be the best day of your life Niles," smiled Gracie.
CC threw Niles the key to her Jaguar as she returned with her purse.
"You do drive, don't you? Take the wheel. You don't expect me to drive," she said as she walked out of the Sheffield house with Niles in tow.