Niles thought deeply about this question. Of course Daphne did not see herself through the same lens of perfection as he viewed her. It was one of the things he loved about her. He didn't want to gush forth with lovesick platitudes. He needed her to understand what would drive him to risk everything to spend his life with her.
Suddenly Daphne grabbed Niles' hand. "Oh! You're not thinking that just I'm fishing for compliments or making you prove your feelings or..." He stopped her with the shake of his head. "Stop, no, I'm not thinking any of those things. As a matter of fact, I understand completely why you are asking. I asked myself the same question hundreds of times - not about you, but about myself. It's probably one of the main reasons why I could never..." His gaze dropped to the pillow he was suddenly clutching. He looked up into Daphne's concerned face. "Yeah" he said sheepishly. "Why me?"
Daphne reached her arm across the back of the sofa and stroked the side of Niles' face. He grinned unconsciously and leaned into her hand like a contented cat. "I'll tell you exactly 'why you', you silly man. Let's start with the obvious stuff, shall we? You are successful, you've earned enough degrees for half a dozen "normal" people, you've traveled the world and seen things people like me only dream of. Those things alone would make you quite a catch for the majority of single women. You're clever, funny and charming. You are impeccably groomed and you always smell wonderful." At this mention, Niles chuckled, thinking of all the times he had contented himself with experiencing the subtle scent of his forbidden love.
"Now for the things you may not know, or at least may not admit to knowing. Yes, you are a very handsome man. And the way you look at me...well, I just wish you could you could see it from my perspective. And ohhh, you are a wonderful kisser and I can only imagine... and I do... how you would be...you know." At this they both giggled and blushed.
Niles was feeling more confident and started to interrupt, but Daphne shushed him. "I'm just getting started. Sometimes you act like you're still the schoolboy who got picked on and bullied. In reality, you are highly accomplished and respected by your peers. You have every reason to be proud of what you have become. You are stronger and braver than you give yourself credit for."
She rolled her eyes mockingly as she continued, "And I know I make fun of you sometimes for your love of art, opera or the subtleties of a fine wine, but that just shows how aware you are of the details in life, the things most people never take the time to enjoy or even notice. I admire you for that."
Niles started to speak again because he wasn't used to this type of thing but Daphne gave him a sweet smile and said, "Just a little more. I don't want to embarrass you but this is important." She stood up and paced a few steps, then turned to face him. "Since I realized that you have loved me for so long, I've had time to think back about all those interactions between us that I didn't fully understand at the time. I know now why you did certain things and how caring and unselfish you have always been. You looked out for my best interests even if it meant hurting yourself. You have always treated me with complete respect and I love you for it." She looked away and said softly, "I don't know why I never saw it before, your true feelings for me. Of course, when you were married, I would never think of you in...that way. But even when you and Mrs. Crane split up, I suppose it just never occurred to me that a man like you, with so much to offer, would be interested in...me." She looked straight at him and smiled wanly.
He stared at her, unable to speak for a moment. He was buoyed by all she had said to him but saw that she was now sinking under the same doubt and insecurity he had felt only a few minutes before. He had to reassure her.