"I've made some hot chocolate, Dr. Crane. Would you like some?"
No longer finding interest in Frasier's book collection, Niles stood and smiled. "That sounds wonderful, Daphne. Let me help you."
"I've got it. Just make yourself comfortable and I'll be right there."
True to her word, she returned seconds later, carrying a tray with two steaming cups of hot chocolate, one of which she placed in front of him.
"Thank you, Daphne."
When she sat down beside him, he felt the warmth from her body. The feeling comforted him in a way she could never have imagined.
"So, what would you like to do?"
The question caught him off-guard and he stared at her in surprise. "I..."
At his unsteady response, she laughed and touched his hand. "Oh, I'm sorry! There I go again, making you uncomfortable. We don't have to do anything at all."
"No!" Niles said quickly. "I mean... whatever you'd like to do is fine." He grabbed his mug of hot chocolate and gulped it down, the steaming liquid burning his throat.
Daphne meanwhile seemed deep in thought. And suddenly she smiled. "I know what we can do!"
He watched her with amusement, smiling at the way her face lit up, making her even more beautiful. "Anything you'd like, Daphne."
She stood and went to the television, searching high and low. "Now where did your father put that bloody remote? Oh, here it is! They're having a marathon of Christmas movies on me favorite station. Oh, I know it's a bit early but I always say that it's never too early to have some Christmas cheer. You don't mind, do you Dr. Crane?"
"Not at all." He replied. "That sounds like a wonderful idea."
"All right then... Let's see what's on right now." She pointed the remote at the television and to Niles' amazement; a familiar scene appeared on the screen. It was a movie he'd seen many times with his mother and suddenly he missed her terribly. The picture on the television was instantly blurred by the tears in his eyes.
"Are you all right, Dr. Crane?"
Her soft voice and gentle hand brought him out of his thoughts and he was suddenly aware of her hand in his.
"I-I'm fine." He whispered.
"Do you want to watch something else?"
"No, this is fine." He replied, his voice trembling.
"Well, all right. But let me know if you want to watch something else."
They watched in silence and after a while, Daphne turned off the light. "You don't mind, do you?"
"Of course not." He whispered, feeling more nervous than before.
As the movies progressed, he couldn't help noticing the way she'd snuggled against him and was resting her head against his. It was the most heavenly feeling in the world.
