A/N: This is an impromptu continuation of "Practice Makes Perfect", an older story that I wrote a while back as a continuation of the episode "Flour Child". Even though it's a continuation, and does begin where that story left off, it can be read on its own.
In a daze, Niles followed Daphne out of Café Nervosa, holding tightly to the flour sack in his arms. When they reached her car, she turned to him and smiled. "I'm sorry I don't have a suitable restraint but it's only a short drive home so I think he'll be okay."
Niles blinked in confusion. "I'm sorry… what will be okay?"
"Your son." She replied, gesturing to the flour sack. "As long as you have your seatbelt fastened securely and hold onto him carefully, he'll be all right."
Niles stared at her in disbelief. Surely she didn't think that the flour sack was a real child. But he was content to play along. After all, he was the one who initiated the role playing, after wondering what it would be like to care for a real baby. But he never expected Daphne to go along with it, or to continue it after he'd given up the notion of caring for something that wasn't even real. But the most surprising thing of all was the way she'd so graciously bought him a new flour sack to replace the one that Eddie had destroyed on Frasier's sofa, or that she'd come all the way to Cafe Nervosa to present it to him. It was an unbelievable gesture of kindness, even one that was above Daphne's usual thoughtfulness.
"Are you coming, Dr. Crane?"
"What? Oh yes. I'm sorry. I was just…"
"Right. What was I thinking? Let me get the door for you."
Daphne amazed him as she unlocked the car door and carefully helped him inside. And the caring manner in which she pulled the seat belt around him and his sack of flour was nothing short of incredible. "Are you both comfortable?"
"Um… yes. We're fine. Thank you, Daphne." He managed to say.
"All right then."
She closed the door and walked around to the passenger side where Niles made certain to reach across the seat and unlock her door. It was a simple gesture; a trifle, but her expression told him that she was deeply touched.