Daphne sat at the dining room table, watching her husband intently.
The room was dimly lit; the flickering candlelight casting a romantic glow on her lavishly prepared meal.
"I hope you like it." She said with a smile. "I had quite a time preparin' it. Even called me mum to make sure that I got everything just right."
"Well I hardly think you should have gone to so much trouble for me, my love." Niles said. He glanced at his plate, doing his best to hide his grimace. "I can't wait to try this."
He picked up his fork and dug into the plate of food, smiling at his wife.
"It's sheep and lamb's head stew." Daphne said as he put the forkful of food into his mouth.
He stopped chewing as a wave of nausea hit him and did his best to smile.
"I-I'm sorry. What did you say?"
"Sheep and lambs head stew. It's a specialty of me Grammy Moon's." Daphne said proudly.
Niles swallowed, forcing the dreadful food into his stomach. "Really..."
He dropped his fork onto the plate with a clank and brought his fingers to his mouth.
"So, what do you think?"
He grabbed his glass of wine and consumed it in one gulp, ignoring the rush of alcohol that went to his head.
"Niles?"
He didn't dare tell her what he really thought. To do so would mean losing her forever. It was the most horrific food he'd ever eaten and suddenly he feared that he wouldn't be able to keep it down.
No wonder Grammy Moon died at an early age.
"You hate it, don't you?"
Her harsh tone brought his gaze back to her face.
"What? No... of course not. It's wonderful."
"Then why aren't you eating?"
He froze at the unexpected question.
"Well... I'm just trying to savor every bite."
"Your nose is bleeding."
"My nose isn't-."
Horrified, his hand flew to his napkin which he shoved under his nose. When he glanced at the napkin he was dismayed to find that she was right.
"Oh damn... How did that happen?"
"You never answered me question. Why aren't you eating?"
"Well... I'm just trying to savor every bite."
Her eyes filled with tears, causing a wave of guilt to wash over him.
"Daphne... I-."
"Don't lie to me! Tell me the truth, Niles Crane! Do you have any idea how much I had to go through to make that? I spent three hours on the phone with me mum, listening to how I was never good enough for her; how me brothers always did everything so much better and how I could never make it on me own in Manchester and so I had to lower me standards and find a job in the states."
Her quivering voice gave way to tears that unleashed themselves in rapid succession.
"Daphne-."
Angrily she rose from the table and grabbed his plate, just as he was about to boldly attempt another bite.
"Bloody hell, I'm just trying to be a good wife and cook for me husband!"
"But Daphne, you're a wonderful wife!" He said, rushing to follow her into the kitchen.
When he heard clattering, he opened the door just in time to see her tossing the dishes into the sink, causing them to shatter into pieces.
Heartbroken, she leaned against the sink and sobbed.
He moved toward her and reached out in a desperate effort to provide comfort, but she abruptly pulled away.
"Daphne-."
He watched helplessly as she ran up the stairs and disappeared from sight.
With a sigh he turned and went back to the kitchen to clean up the broken dishes.
But all he could think of was how he'd broken his goddess's heart.