Author's Note: Many thanks to Aria (crazysockmonkeys) for allowing me to write this little continuation of her story. Doing so gave me an excuse to watch "Daphne Does Dinner" again. :) Also thanks to Anika (BaronessBlixen) for assisting with some details!

Daphne walked out of the guestroom, pleased at how the talk with her mother had gone. Gertrude Moon was an infuriating person, as everyone in the Crane family knew all too well. But even she realized that she'd had her part in the disastrous events of this evening. Much to Daphne's surprise, her mother had actually apologized.

When she reached the living room, she found Niles, still seated on the bed that was now in the center of the room. "How did it go?"

Daphne smiled. "Mum said she was sorry. It went much better than I expected." She sat next to him on the bed.

Niles put his arm around her. "I'm glad, my love. I know your mother can be...well..." He trailed off, unable to find a tactful word.

"Just say it, Niles. Me mum is bloody out of her mind."

Niles laughed. "Yes. What you said. But she is your mother." After a moment, he looked at Daphne, falling in love with her all over again. "While you were in there, I had a thought. Maybe we should try again, host another dinner party."

Daphne couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You want us to throw another party? Why? I thought you were done impressing those phony art-lovers!"

"Oh, I am. But I was thinking that there's no reason we couldn't have a family dinner party. You know, just Dad and Frasier, Roz and Alice. People that we actually care about. I'll help in any way I can."

"You'd really do that?" Daphne asked.

Niles nodded. "I got to thinking that you went to an awful lot of trouble tonight. You wanted this to go well nearly as much as I did. And after the way you almost charmed our guests into staying, I think you deserve another chance."

Daphne threw her arms around Niles. "Thank you. But I think we should wait until...you know...this place looks like a living room again." She looked around the room, realizing once again just how badly it had been destroyed.

"Yes, I think that's wise. But once we get that taken care of, we need to start preparing immediately. I'll talk to Frasier and let him know that, this time, he really is just a guest."

"You'd really do that for me?" Daphne still couldn't wrap her mind around this.

Niles nodded. "Of course. There's nothing I wouldn't do in order to make you happy." He caressed her cheek, wiping away a tear which had fallen.

Daphne kissed him deeply. "I love you."

Suddenly, Niles wanted nothing more than to hold Daphne in his arms. They might be seated on a bed, but this was hardly the appropriate place for such a thing. "Why don't we stay in a hotel for the night?"

Daphne grinned mischievously. "I'd like that. But what about mum?"

Niles shrugged. "Well, there doesn't seem to be any damage to the guestroom. And we should have someone here to watch the place."

"Right. I think the least she can do right now is give us a bit of privacy." She got up, walking back toward the guestroom. "I'll just let mum know we're leaving, and then we'll be off."

Niles nodded in response. He watched as his angel left the room. Yes, tonight's party had become yet another disaster in the history of the Crane boys. But, for once, he couldn't help feeling just a bit happy about it. After all, tonight might just be the most romantic night he and Daphne had spent together. A slightly damaged living room was definitely a small price to pay.

The End