Disclaimer: I don't own any part of The Nanny…yet.

A/N: Just another idea I couldn't let go of…and now it's reached it's end...Let me know what you think. - D

First Impressions

Chapter 25

There they stood, silently staring. "It's weird to be here…don't you think?" She whispered softly. "I mean with the kids and all."

"I guess." He answered matching her tone. "But, we had to…"

She nodded and offered a small smile. "I can't believe it's still here."

"I know. I never would have thought after all this time." He ran his hand softly over the markings. His wavy reddish blond hair was slightly damp in the warm weather. "It's like I remember, from the last time we were here."

She laughed softly and nodded her agreement. "Its warmer today I think, but still as beautiful. It's really perfect."

The elderly man approached them quietly. "I think we're ready."

They clasped hands, took their place and watched as he addressed the gathering. "First, let me just thank you for coming. I realize it's a strange request. But for those of you in the know…well, you understand." He stood solemnly before the small assembled group. "Much has happened since that day…oh…some seventy years ago now, but old as I am…I still remember." His green eyes sparkled as he spoke with fondness of the times so many years past. "It's fitting they chose this place. It was always their special place, their birch grove. They belong here." He smiled and a single tear drifted down his weathered cheek as he turned back to the two who so resembled their parents. "Danny and Lauren would like to say something now I think."

Daniel Joseph Brightmore was Niles and CC's first born. The baby they were shocked to hear was on the way mere moments after getting married across the belly of their laboring friend. Danny, the spitting image of his father right down to his impish grin, spoke first. "Mom and Dad spoke of this place often. It was their place, like Uncle Max said. The place they shared their love for one another…so many years before finally getting to really share their lives. But, the one thing neither ever forgot was the depths with which that love was felt. I've never known two people more in love than my parents. They were completely devoted to each other, really. Don't get me wrong, as you all well know, they could fight like no other couple too, but it was part of who they were and how they loved. It was always the little things that meant the most to them. The way Mom would pick out his tie every morning, or help him with his cufflinks…" Danny paused at the memory.

"And the way Daddy used to rub Mom's feet while they watched a movie, or tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear." Lauren joined her brother in speaking about their parents. Lauren Marie Brightmore Weston was a surprise for Niles and CC. She arrived just eighteen months after Danny graced the newlywed's lives. She looked just like her mother and had the quick wit and sharp tongue to match. "They did so love each other and never let a day pass when they didn't say it. Not just with words, but with everything they did. It was a long and arduous journey that finally brought our parents together, but it made them who they were…as individuals and especially as a couple. And it all started, really, right here. Seventy years ago today our parents Niles Andrew Brightmore and Chastity Clair Babcock professed their love so here today we celebrate it."

Danny and Lauren took the matching urns from the table where they sat and placed them carefully in the cement lined hole that was prepared just at the base of that special tree. Then with little ceremony, Danny placed the marker on top, and bolted it down. When he finished, he and Lauren each placed a single orange rose on top of the marker that held the same sentiment as the tree it lay beneath. Everyone gathered, followed suit until there was a small pile of stunning orange roses lying beneath the silver birch where so very many years ago Niles carved into the bark…

Niles

~n~

Chastity

"You did the right thing, ya know." The woman said softly to Lauren. "It's what they wanted…"

Lauren embraced the woman. "Yeah…I know. It's just going to be strange…thinking of them here."

"Well, Love…" Lauren's husband Thomas started. "It's not like we're that far away…we do live at the estate now."

Lauren and the woman laughed lightly. "It's hardly an estate, Tommy." Lauren smiled. "I mean…it's been in the family for years that is true, but…an estate?"

"Lauren, it's nearly 100 acres when you add in the lake and the birch grove." Tommy explained.

Lauren looked around her just a bit. "I never realized."

"What's that little sister?" Daniel and Eve joined them. Danny married Fran and Max's daughter Eve. They had two children…Andrew and Beverly.

Lauren smiled at her brother's endearment. "I didn't realize the estate here was so large. Daddy never actually told me how extensive it is."

"That sounds like your father." The woman who still stood with then added. "You know…he was rather modest in his own way. I miss him." The woman looked away briefly. "Please remember how much your parents were loved."

Lauren moved from her husband's side and embraced the woman. "We will Grace. He loved you too." Lauren leaned in close and whispered. "I think you were always his favorite."

"Maybe…" Grace smiled. "But only until Danny and you came along."

A small group of children joined the adults. "Mom…would it be alright if we went swimming?" The girl had pale blonde hair and startling blue eyes.

"Sure, Claire. Make sure you and Andy keep an eye on the little ones." Lauren told her daughter.

Tommy smiled as the children moved to the bank of the lake. "I'll never get over how much she looks like your mom, Hon."

"I know." Lauren watched as her children, joined by Danny's children and the rest of the next generation headed toward the lake. "But Joe looks more like you than me…so we're even."

Tommy smiled. "Joe has quite a legacy to live up to, Love, for a twelve year old."

Lauren, Tommy her brother and his wife watched as the children settled in by the water. "They all have a legacy to live up to, Tommy. We've come from a rather odd pairing…the servant and the socialite." Lauren laughed recalling the title to the unwritten novel her father often spoke of. "But…I wouldn't want it any other way."

MANY YEARS LATER

"It's not much farther, Becky…come on." The young man practically whispered. "Here…this is it."

Rebecca Renee Caldwell, at twenty, is a simple and unassuming young woman. Beautiful, with short auburn hair and glowing green eyes, she was raised by a sensible mother who believed that it was the simple things in life that really mattered. Rebecca is a classic beauty to be sure, but has a sharp wit and intelligence to match, much to the enjoyment of her mother, who will never have to worry about Rebecca getting in over her head. But today, a short six months after moving to England, she's walking through a birch grove with a fine young gentleman.

They stood in the small clearing and he pointed to the spot he wanted her to see. "Niles…" Becky started with a hint of concern in her voice. "Who is Chastity?"

He wrapped his arms around her from behind and dropped his chin to her shoulder. "Chastity was my Great, Great Grandmother, Becky."

She turned in his arms. "Really?" Her eyes beamed with the love she felt for this young man. Niles Andrew Brightmore, at twenty five was considered the most promising horse trainer in the country, already having two grand champions in his stable. He had wavy reddish blonde hair and bright blue eyes…a throw back his father called him, telling him he's so much like his name sake it scared the locals.

"Really, really." Niles answered her and dropped his lips to hers in a soft kiss. "Becky…I uhm…" His voice faltered in his nervousness. "Will you marry me?"

Becky cupped his face in her hands. "Oh yes, Niles, I love you."

"I love you, Becky…I promise I'll spend my life making you happy." Niles slipped the ring on her waiting finger.

Becky kissed him softly and caressed his cheek. "I knew you were the one, since the first day we met in your parent's parlor."

Niles leaned down and kissed her more deeply this time. "You are an amazing woman, Becky. You know…they met in that parlor too, my Great, Great Grandparents. This was their special place…they're buried just over here…beneath their tree."

"Were they as deliriously happy as we are?" Becky asked resting her head on his shoulder as they started back out of the birch grove.

Niles smirked unseen by his lady love. "Well, it's a very interesting story…"