A/N: This is going to be a three-parter. It's just a random idea I had the other day ad it wouldn't leave me alone.
Sometimes, late at night, he thinks she was born to carry his baby. Daphne is fast asleep, but restlessly so. Throughout the years they have grown accustomed to each other's sleeping patterns; Daphne learned not to attack, hit and bite (that had happened once or twice) Niles in the middle of the night. On the other hand, he learned to accept her occasional night terrors. More often than not, he no longer wakes up when she kicks him. He only sees the damage in the morning. He is wiser these days: there are things that will cause her problems. When she eats sushi the nights are the worst. He doesn't understand why but he tries to keep her away from it – at least she can't eat it while she's pregnant and he is grateful for that.
Tonight, he isn't awake because of sushi. He isn't even awake because Daphne woke him; their child did. Even seven months into the pregnancy, he can still hardly believe it. Their child. Not so many years ago he had given up the hope of ever becoming a parent. He had been with Maris for so long and yes, in the beginning of their marriage when things had still seemed so manageable and joyful, he had hoped for children. Eventually, he had given up on this particular dream. Until Daphne. Getting together with her, marrying her – it would have been enough. He was happy knowing he had her love. Then she gave him this; one of the greatest gifts imaginable. The little human being inside of her that is half him and half her and a new person all together. Hoping it won't wake Daphne, he gently puts a hand on her stomach. The baby kicks again as if he or she already knows who Niles is. It makes him feel tall and so full of love. His hand still protectively on her swollen tummy, Niles looks at Daphne's face. She has become so much more beautiful, he realizes – not that she is ever not the most beautiful woman in his eyes. Lately, she is quite moody and tired from carrying their baby. Niles tries to be as patient as possible. It isn't always easy so he enjoys these moments of peacefulness in the middle of the night. With his child.
The moment Daphne told him about the pregnancy, he started wondering who he or she would take after. Naturally, he hopes the Crane genes will prevail. One Simon is already too much for one family. He can never help but wonder what the baby will look like. No matter if it's a boy or a girl, Niles wants the child to resemble Daphne. No one is as beautiful as she is. He already knows the child will remind him of Daphne no matter what it looks like. He cannot think of their child as an it; him or her. It has to be either. He doesn't know what he'd like better. Niles stares at Daphne's stomach. Several people have told them that from the way she is carrying, she is most likely to have a boy. Niles can almost not imagine it. He the father of a son. Luckily, he had a father who always loved him – even if he didn't understand him. Tears fill his eyes. The older he gets, the more he appreciates his father. He is getting on in years – they all are. Niles doesn't want to think about death. Not when his little baby is there, in his mother's womb, waiting, trying to comprehend what this life is all about. Just like that, Niles decides it's going to be a boy.
Suddenly, he can picture the little boy. He is going to look like Daphne, but he is going to be like him, too. He will learn the piano and maybe even the violin – Niles is certain he can already hear it. The first tries, then when he gets better. A beautiful sound. The baby kicks again. Niles will never get used to it, to the sensation and the emotions it triggers in him. He wants Daphne to wake up so they can share the moment, but when he looks at her he knows she needs the sleep. For her it's different anyway, he knows. This is his moment; his and his son's. He sighs softly. His eyes feel heavy. It's still night time and Niles needs his sleep, too. He leaves his hand on Daphne's stomach. The warmth of the two people he loves the most is like a lullaby. At some point, he feels Daphne's hand on top of his.
"He'll have your eyes." Niles isn't sure if she really tells him or if he dreams it. But he falls asleep with a smile on his face. He is ready to face another day; he is ready to become a father.
END