As Daphne watched over six year old David in the hospital bed, she checked her watch, anxious for her husband to arrive. She'd gotten a call from the school that David had had a spell, but what that meant, she still wasn't quite sure.

As soon as she saw Niles walk into the room, she immediately felt a sense of relief. She looked at him. "Have you talked to the doctors?"

He frowned. "Yes, my love. I have. And I'm afraid I have some bad news...do you see that mask that David is wearing?"

"It's hard not to notice."

"It's a breathing mechanism, of some sorts. You see, our son had trouble breathing after gym class, and well, I'm sorry to tell you this, Daphne, but it appears our son has asthma.'

She immediately broke down into tears.

"Now, darling, the doctors say he might outgrow it.."

"You don't understand. It's all my fault."

"How could this possibly be your fault?"

She looked up at him. "I did something terrible. I smoked a cigarette..."

"I'm afraid I don't understand..."

"One day when we fought, I bought a pack of smokes. I only smoked one, but don't you see, this is all my fault!"

"I still don't see how this has anything to do with our son's condition..."

"Don't you see, Niles? I smoked when I was pregnant!"

He pulled her close to him. "Now, now. This can't possibly be your fault. One cigarette won't cause this. Actually, I have a confession to make. I, too, fear this is my fault.."

"What are you saying, Niles?"

"When I get upset, I tend to hyperventilate. I know there's no sound medical basis for my hypothesis, but just the thought of him taking after me in any way..."

"He does take after you, doesn't he? His head's always in a book and he already knows most of the keys to the piano. Remember how well my piano lessons went?"

With that, they both laughed. "Daphne, you always know how to cheer me up."

"I'm so proud of the fact that he takes after you. Maybe I haven't told you this enough, but I'm proud to call meself Mrs. Dr. Niles Crane."

"I'm so proud to have you as my wife."

"You two aren't getting mushy, are you?"

They looked over, and Daphne exclaimed. "David..we thought you were asleep!"

"It's hard to sleep with this thing on."

"Now David, you just have to keep in on a little while longer. Once you leave there are things they can do for you, but for now, can you please follow the doctor's instructions?" Niles pleaded.

"Okay, Dad."

As Niles watched his son try to go back to sleep, he realized that he wouldn't trade a day of his life with his family, not for all of the money in the world. There would be hard times, such as this, but he knew that with Daphne standing by his side, there was nothing that he couldn't handle. Yes, Daphne was an angel, in so many more ways than he could ever tell her.

The end

This is for Kristen, whose support has been invaluable. This story also, along with most of my other ones, comes from personal experience. Today I was diagnosed with asthma so I decided a little writing therapy was in order!