As the morning sunlight streamed through the window, Daphne's eyes fluttered open. Momentarily confused, she looked around the unfamiliar setting. But when she heard a sigh and felt a strong masculine arm gently pull her closer, she smiled as the memories of last night came rushing back.

A completely unexpected visitor had arrived at her hotel room door holding a bouquet of pink roses. He'd driven all the way to Portland from Seattle to tell her how he felt about her.

Niles...

Her heart warmed just thinking of him. It was still so hard to believe that this man, this wonderful, sophisticated and handsome man was really and truly in love with her.

The idea brought tears to her eyes and when she sniffled, she felt his lips on her cheek.

"Good morning, my angel."

She turned her body to face him, her heart rate increasing at the realization that she was so close to him that she could feel his breath on her face. When he kissed her and brushed a lock of hair from her forehead, she blinked. As she did so, a tear trickled down her cheek; a tear that didn't last long, because within seconds, Niles had brushed it away with his fingertips.

"Please don't cry, Daphne. Whatever I've done to upset you, I'm truly sorry."

Overcome with love for him, she kissed him once more and gently stroked his smooth cheek with her hand.

"You didn't. You couldn't. I just..."

"I know. It's going to be difficult breaking the news to Donny. But I promise that I'll be right there with you, if you want me there. I don't ever want you to be afraid or have to go through difficult things alone."

She settled herself against him and laid her head on his chest. His arms wrapped around her and he kissed her cheek, reminding her once more that she'd never felt more loved.

"Actually I wasn't thinking about Donny." She admitted.

"Then what's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just never dreamed that it was possible to love someone this much, or that someone would love me this much."

"Oh Daphne, this is only the beginning." Niles said. "Because I plan on loving you for the rest of my life."

She kissed him deeply. "How did I not see it before? I mean, why didn't I know?"

"Because I was a coward, Daphne. I didn't think that someone like you could possibly love someone like me."

"Oh Niles..."

She reached out and brushed a tear from his eye before it reached his cheek.

"I think I loved you long before your brother blurted it out. I just wish I had listened to me heart instead of breaking yours. I'm so sorry, Niles."

"It's all right." He whispered as she snuggled closer to him. "We're together now and that's all that matters."

Daphne laced her fingers through his. "So what would you like to do?"

"Mmmm... You mean besides hold you in my arms like this forever?" Niles replied dreamily.

"I'd love nothing more, but I'm afraid that we've got other obligations, like your brother and Donny. Oh God, Niles! I don't know how to tell him!"

He silenced her with a kiss. "Don't worry about that now. All I want is to spend as many blissful moments as we can together. Just the two of us."

"Why don't we start by having a nice leisurely breakfast? There's a beautiful restaurant just below the lobby." Daphne suggested.

"That sounds heavenly."

Minutes later Daphne took his hand and led him into the hallway, pausing to kiss his lips.

"What was that for?"

"Because I love you."

He leaned his forehead against hers and smiled. "I love you too, Daphne."