Everyday life with Niles and CC

The pilot!

It's the day after the party. Maxwell Sheffield left the house in his limousine right after lunch and the kids retreated to their rooms. Niles spent the entire morning cleaning up the remaining traces of the party. He is just putting his yellow rubber gloves on to clean the bathroom when the doorbell rings. Niles barely opened the door when CC Babcock rushes into the house in a great mood.

“Hello hello! Isn’t it a beautiful day?”
“hello Miss Babcock! Are you sure you haven’t got the wrong address? The nearest rehab clinic is a few blocks away!”
"Oh Niles, my dear boy! Even you with your british butler attitude can't spoil my good mood today. Is Maxwell in the office? We have a lot of work to do!" she explains with a mischievous grin.
“No! Mr Sheffield is not at home. He left earlier. He has an urgent appointment concerning the new nanny.”
“Oh yeah?” CC frowns. “I really don't understand why Maxwell bothers trying so hard to find someone to take care of the children at home. There are excellent boarding schools in Switzerland where the children can spend practically the entire school year. Well, at least this episode with this streetwalker is over. I truly wondered what Maxwell was thinking to hire this tramp. He might as well have his brood raised by a pack of wolves.”
"Well you may offer Mr. Sheffield to put his children with your relatives. They certainly have some space in their wolf's den."
CC gives Niles a brief stern look, but then her usual grin returns.
“Oh Niles, as much as I appreciate these stimulating conversations with you... I really have to get back to my work and looking at you, I assume you have your usual maid duties waiting for you. But before you devote yourself to your quite demanding work, bring me a coffee to the office.”
With a malicious laugh she disappears. Niles stares after her sullenly.

A little later Niles actually appears in the office with a tray and a cup of coffee. CC is busy working on some contracts. She grabs the cup and takes a sip. Her expression immediately drops.
“Niles! This coffee tastes awful. You should change the brand immediately.”
Niles takes the cup from her hand and pretends to take a sip himself.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with it. The coffee is perfect. That’s probably your misfortune. You know, certain drinking habits ruin the taste.”
He puts the cup down in front of her and is about to leave the office. Just before he goes out the door, he turns around again.
“Or wait! It could be the cup I used to prepare my special mixture that I always use to clean the toilet.”
CC, who has just taken another sip, inevitably spits it out again. She glares at Niles.
“Niles! I know that your abilities are limited and I certainly don’t want to swamp you. But I can expect that you serve me a new coffee in a clean cup immediately. I hope you can manage that.”
Niles takes the tray and the cup back. CC looks at him condescendingly
"You'd better be on good terms with me. Because I may well become the lady in this house once Maxwell and I are married. And I'm not sure if your services will be needed any longer. I know a lot of men in this city who would be very happy to offer me their services."
“Oh yeah?! I assume you still regularly hire your gentleman for certain hours.”
With this final remark, Niles leaves the office.

Whistling, he goes to the kitchen. He knows that his boss is on his way to Queens asking Fran Fine to take the job as the nanny back. He sincerely hopes that his boss will be successful. The idea of being able to present Fran Fine on a silver platter to Miss Babcock would definitely make his day.
Soon Maxwell Sheffield arrives at home, accompanied by Fran Fine and a pile of luggage. Niles cheers on the inside and the kids are very happy too. They all eagerly help Fran carry all her luggage upstairs. Niles is just about to follow them with a suitcase when Maxwell holds him back.
“Is CC already in the office?”
“No Sir! Miss Babcock has called. She is in the hospital having the broom removed, which sticks inside her!”
“Niles!!” Maxwell replies sternly.
“Miss Babcock is already waiting for you!”

A short time later, Fran is sitting in the kitchen with the kids. Niles is also there and is thinking hard about how to arrange for Fran and Miss Babcock to meet. Finally he presses the button on the intercom.
"Sir! I've just baked a fresh lemon cake. If you and Miss Babcock would like a piece..."
“That sounds great, Niles. Please bring us a tray to the office right away.”
"Oh it's fine Maxwell. I'm going!" CC offers with a sweet voice.
Unknowingly she falls right into Niles trap. He assumed that she would come to the kitchen herself. She repeatedly tries to ingratiate herself with Maxwell with such small gestures to show him her supposed affection for him.

CC enters the kitchen in a good mood, but then she stops and freezes. She can't believe who she sees. Fran comes towards her with her cheerful manner.
“Hi Miss Babcock! I’m back. I think since we’re the only two grownup women in this household, we should get along well.”
Fran exuberantly hugs CC. CC is still completely shocked and unable to move. Niles watches the scene with a broad, satisfied grin. Meanwhile, the kids pull Fran upstairs with them.
“Fran! We have 'Casual Friday' at school tomorrow. I need you to help me finding the perfect outfit.”
“No! Fran has to help me with my homework!” Fran stares at Brighton dumbfounded.
"I'm kidding!"
“Fran, I want to introduce you to all my teddy bears. It would be great if you join our group therapy today.”

Fran and the kids disappear and CC is still standing there in the doorway like petrified. Niles comes to her. In one hand he carries a plate with a piece of cake, in the other hand a glass.
“Would you like a piece of lemon cake or would you rather prefer a glass of lemonade? As the saying goes: 'When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!'”