Yes, you are operating at the upper limit of your fit range. I like a 56cm top tube and the "54cm" CC gives me that. But, that puts a bunch of seat post out for me to achieve my required 75cm to 76cm saddle height. Since the OP has the same inseam as myself or very close I assume he would have to set his saddle height similar to mine and therefore his resulting bar drop challenge would also be similar to mine. Since he and I both desire a 2 inch or more drop I feel he should be OK with the 54cm frame. Going bigger, to a 56cm CC is only going to stretch him out more partially negating any additional steering tube rise the larger size affords. The thing is, as I have learned, the Cross Check is low in the front and that is because they use a horizontal top tube and their head tube is just not very long as a result.

For illustration of what I mean, take a look, this 56cm square Centurion Prestige has a 56cm top tube a and a 110 stem:



My Surly CC also has a 56cm top tube and a 110 stem but notice the down tube, top tube and head tube intersection, the vee is kinda small as is the head tube length as a result:



Both bikes have the saddle set at 75.5cm from BB center to top of saddle and for all intents and purposes, these bikes are the same "frame size" and fit very similar. Now, if the Surly had a sloped top tube, the head tube could rise higher and the result would be a higher handlebar and less saddle to bar drop.