Author's Note:Lately, I've been remembering a scene from one of Andrea (iloveromance)'s stories that I used to love. But unfortunately, I haven't been able to find the story so far. So, I figured I might as well try to write something sort of similar myself. This bit of fluff resulted!
Daphne sighed, turning to kiss her husband. She pushed away her now-empty cup of Nervosa coffee. "Well, I guess I must be off. Your father awaits."
Niles could see the frustration on her face. "Is he giving you a hard time again? Oh, Daphne, I could call him for you..."
She smiled. "Thank you. I love you for that. You really do look after me, don't you? Your father's always a bit difficult, but it's nothing I can't handle." She saw in his expression that he remained unconvinced. "I promise, everything will be just fine."
"I know, Daphne. You're a very strong person, and I don't mean to imply that you can't handle Dad. But I just hate the thought of you being so upset."
"Looking at you now, I can't possibly be upset. You love me unconditionally, and that's something I can never forget. I think maybe it's your love that's made me so strong."
Niles liked the thought of that. All of his life, he'd been weak. Always the kid who'd been picked on. His intellect put him miles ahead of most of his peers. But he'd spent his childhood surrounded by books, while other kids were out playing sports. Though he was a grown man now, that image of weakness was still there. But, for Daphne, he knew without a doubt that he could find the strength of Hercules. "I love you so much," he finally said, caressing her cheek with his thumb.
"I know, my darling. I love you, too. And no matter what you may think of yourself, I know that you're the sweetest, most handsome man I've ever known."
His face lit up like a Christmas tree. "Really?"
"Yes, of course, Niles." She laughed softly. "I don't think I could be who I am without you. I have tough days every now and then, just like any other person. But I get to come home to you, and that's all I could ever need. Now, I really must go, or your father's going to think he's got a free afternoon. Don't worry about me. I can put your father in his place if I have to." She nodded firmly. "I grew up with eight brothers, I think I can handle one stubborn old man!"
Niles laughed. "Of course you can, my love. Dad could never be in better hands. And thank you for what you said. In some ways, I'm still that kid in middle school, nose buried in a book, while other kids were out scoring touchdowns on the ballfield. But my life has changed since then. I have you now." He paused, feeling himself getting lost in her eyes. "But I know I'm keeping you from your duties. Tell you what, when you come home later, I'll be waiting. I bet I know a way I can...relax you." He kissed her deeply, giving her a preview of what was to come.
The implication in his statement sent a thrill through Daphne. She knew a lot of women wouldn't find Niles particularly exciting, or even interesting. But that didn't matter. In the year that they'd been married, he'd done all he could to take care of her. He made her feel safe in ways she never had before. He'd given her his name, told her who she was. For so long, Daphne had felt ashamed of her background and the things she'd been forced to do without. But now, she was Mrs. Niles Crane, and that was a treasure greater even than the many material possessions she now had.
The End