Author's Note:Thanks to Leigh Ann (leighann415) for suggesting I do this! It turned out to be a pretty cute little one-shot, if I may say so!
The first sound Niles heard as he awoke was a voice singing, "The wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round..." His first reaction was a frustrated sigh. He'd been out late last night with his wine club, and he'd specifically told Daphne to let him sleep. But he was determined. He rolled over, hoping to get back to sleep. But no sooner had he done that than he heard "Mary Had a Little Lamb" coming from the nursery. Sleep was apparently a lost cause. With a sigh, he got up, reaching for his bathrobe. He adored his son, but this was too much.
Still half-asleep, he walked down the hall. As he did, the music only grew louder. Even if he returned to bed, he doubted he'd ever get back to sleep. These melodies would be stuck in his head for days. He shook his head, hoping to clear his mind. He rounded the corner to the nursery, and the scene that greeted him made him forget his frustration entirely. For there was Daphne, holding David in her arms, dancing with him, cheek-to-cheek.
Daphne turned when she heard him enter. "Did we wake you?"
"No," Niles replied. When he felt the immediate start of a nosebleed, he smiled sheepishly. "Yes."
"Oh, darling, I'm so sorry. I know you wanted to sleep, but David was fussy when I woke him up. I figured this would cheer him up. I can take him downstairs if you'd like to get back to sleep."
Niles looked over at his son, who was now beaming from ear to ear. The sight melted Niles' heart completely. "No, that's all right. You two were clearly enjoying yourselves."
Daphne grinned. "We sure were! David's the second-best dance partner I've ever had."
"Well, apparently he must take after you, my love."
Daphne kissed him. "That may be true. But I can tell he's going to be quite handsome when he's older, and that definitely comes from you."
Niles took the baby from her, kissing his cheek. "Well, in that case, maybe you and I need to have a little father-son chat. We can't have you getting some poor kindergartner in trouble!"
Daphne laughed. "He'll be a perfect gentleman, just like his daddy."
David grinned in agreement. "Well, that's a load off my mind," Niles said.
"As long as you're up, I'll go downstairs and start on breakfast." Daphne started to leave the room
Niles walked toward her. "Actually, I was just about to suggest we put David back in his crib for a while. I think I'd like to go back to bed, but I don't necessarily want to sleep."
Daphne grinned mischievously. "That sounds like a lovely idea. How about we put him down together?"
Niles nodded, carefully carrying David back toward the crib. Daphne followed him. Once the baby had been placed inside, Daphne covered him with a blanket. They both kissed him once more. Then they silently walked back to their room, hand-in-hand.
When they reached their door, Daphne turned to Niles suddenly, kissing him deeply. "Have I told you lately how much I love you?"
Niles grinned. "Yes. But it so happens I never tire of hearing it." He caressed her cheek. As Daphne opened the door and led him inside, Niles was breathless with anticipation. He smiled to himself. Maybe waking up early has its benefits.
The End