A Whisper in the Wind
The first one he told was his mother. She wasn't the first to know, though. Martin and Frasier—hell, even Eddie—knew about his feelings for Daphne long ago, but he never told any of them. He wanted to tell them eventually, even though they'd respond with sarcasm since they already knew. But, he wanted her to be the first one to hear it from his lips.
Niles declined a lunch invitation from Frasier by telling him he was busy. He was sure to be vague about his business to avoid Frasier finding out anything. He made sure to also avoid a random nosebleed.
Niles drove to the cemetery in silence. As he pulled into the parking lot and saw the graves standing atop freshly mowed grass, he felt his heart start to pound. He hadn't been here in for so long. He would say he was simply too busy, but if was being honest with himself, he was afraid he would get emotional. And that was just what was happening.
Once he was parked, he took a deep breath to compose himself and got out of the car.
Despite the bad weather Seattle had experienced lately, the sun was out and there was a cool breeze. It made Niles smile; it seemed the forces of the universe were working to make this day as enjoyable as possible. Well, as enjoyable as visiting a cemetery can be.
Niles walked through the cemetery, glancing at the graves as he passed until he reached the plot where his mother was buried.
He smiled sadly and knelt down, placing the red roses he had brought with him on the grave which read 'Hester Crane: Loving Wife and Mother.'
"Hello, Mother," Niles said softly. Being the kind of person he was, it would have made sense for him to rise to his feet and brush off the grass from his pants. However, being in front his mother's gravesite, Niles felt like a child again. He sat crossed legged, just like he did when he sat on the floor with Frasier when Hester read them Shakespeare.
"First off, I must apologize for not visiting. I…" He sighed. "I was afraid of how I would react." He closed his eyes as the tears prickled. "I really miss you. Just as Dad and Frasier do. I miss your smile, your stories…"
Niles wiped his eyes and smiled. "My practice is great. A little stale at times, but overall, I enjoy it. I love helping people. And… I am separated now. Don't be upset about it," he laughed, knowing full well that Hester never cared for Maris. "It's been a struggle, but… I want to tell you something."
He sighed again, finding himself growing nervous. He couldn't understand why; he wasn't telling Daphne, but he supposed saying it at all was a nerve-racking experience.
"You know Daphne. Looking down on us, you must have seen her and what she does for us. Well, I… I'm in love with her. Oh, Mother," he smiled as he thought of his angel. "She's wonderful, and she makes me so happy. Oh, I wish you could really meet her because you'd just love her, and she'd just love you.
"I haven't told her yet. Or anyone, for that matter. Just you. I know what you're thinking, but I'm scared. What if she rejects me? See what she's done to me?" He laughed. "I love her so much it scares me!"
Niles checked his watch and cursed under his breath. "I'm sorry, Mother. I have to go." He had hoped his patients would cancel so he could spend more time with her, but it couldn't be helped.
Niles got to his feet and brushed the grass from his pants. "I love you, Mother."
He gave the gravesite one last smile and turned to walk back to his car. As he made his way across the grassy grounds, he could swear he felt the wind caress his cheek just as his mother used to when he was a child. He also swore he heard his mother's voice whisper, "You should tell her."
The End
Author's Note: So, I got sad that Hester never met Daphne, and then I got this idea that she would be the first person Niles told. The idea is sad too haha
