For the first time since that unforgettable day in the Winnebago, Niles and Daphne stepped out of Elliot Bay Towers as a couple—no more hiding, no more pretenses, free to go wherever they wanted. They shared an excited smile as took in the crisp Seattle air, paying no mind to the faint mist and the overcast sky. All that mattered was the liberty.

"Where would you like to walk?" Daphne asked, squeezing Niles's hand.

"Hmm…why not the park? It's cozier than these city streets," he suggested.

"Seconded," Daphne said approvingly, giving Niles a quick but affectionate hug. Seattle was a beautiful city, but she loved the nearby park where she and Martin would take Eddie for walks, with its wandering paths, grassy lawns and beautiful trees.

A few minutes later they passed through the park's wrought iron gate and meandered through the paths, listening to the breeze in the trees, watching birds flying, and looking out toward the iconic skyline of downtown Seattle.

But they looked away often to steal glances at each other and smile, or to pause and gaze seriously into each other's eyes, as if to convey wordlessly how happy and thankful they were that they were together at last, with Mel's (grudging) blessing. And when they took a break to sit down on a bench under a vine-covered trellis, Niles suddenly spoke.

"Daphne…I'm sorry I took so long to stand up to Mel."

"Don't worry about it. It's over now," Daphne said firmly. "I loved watching you defend me, and I'm more convinced of your love than ever. Besides…we can't deny that we hurt Mel and Donny, and you were trying to make amends."

"I just wish I'd had more sense," Niles said. "Even if you hadn't—confessed that you love me, if you had married Donny, I would have eventually had to admit I married Mel to try to get over you. And that wasn't fair to her. I see that now. I think there's a good chance that things would have eventually fallen apart and the hurt would be worse. Daphne Moon…thank you for saving me. I'll always carry the guilt for hurting Mel, but you saved me from living a lie. And maybe she'll see that someday…"

He broke off. "Don't mind my babbling. This whole thing has just been so…complicated. Too complicated even for a psychiatrist."

He grinned at Daphne, who laughed and lovingly tousled his hair.

"I know," she said gently. "There was a lot of collateral damage with our decision…but what's done is done, and it's about us now."

Paying no mind to the people strolling by, Daphne leaned toward Niles and kissed him softly. He responded at once, kissing her so deeply that she shivered—not from the cool air but from surprise and pleasure.

Caught up in a wave of emotion, they found they could not pull away, that they could not part lips for more than a few seconds. Dimly they heard passersby making disgusted remarks or laughingly telling them to get a room (how original!), but they paid no heed to anyone or anything around them. This was their moment.

"Well…" Niles breathed when at last they had had enough kissing (for the time being). "That was…"

"Magical," Daphne answered, still feeling the touch of his lips.

"Just like you," he murmured.

"Flatterer," she retorted playfully. "Come along, let's continue our walk."

They continued through the park, hand in hand, watching as others enjoyed the day. Smiling children flew kites, friends laughed and walked together, and old men teased each other as they played chess at the picnic tables. Watching how happy these strangers were pleased Niles and Daphne.

For they hoped that everyone in the park was as happy as they were.