She could feel his hand, running tentatively up and down her back and the touch was so comforting that she found it hard to let go. But when she did, his face was blurred by her tears. "I-I'm sorry…"
"Nah, come on. Ronee's right." Martin replied. "Or half right anyway. If anyone's to blame here, it's me. I'm the one who's been acting like a damn fool. We've been doing these damn exercises for years and I should be used to it by now."
"No, it's my fault!" she cried. "Don't blame yourself! I'm so sorry for those horrible things I said before! I didn't mean them! I just got so angry! You're getting stronger every day and I want you to be able to walk again without your cane. IK know it's silly, but it gives me a sense of accomplishment. I just want Niles to be proud of me."
She gasped in surprise when he drew her into hi8s arms, hugging her warmly. "Come on, don't talk like that. You know Niles is proud of you. Hell, I've never seen a man prouder of his wife and to be honest I'm a little jealous. I should have told Hester more often that I was proud of her but now it's too late. It's not too late for Niles. He loves you, Daphne. He's been in love with you since the first moment he laid eyes on you."
She brushed away fresh tears and smiled. "Martin…"
"No, I'm serious! I could see it right away and I'm pretty sure that Frasier could too. I just wish that we hadn't kept the two of you apart for so long. I should have intervened and told Frasier that he's a damn fool for-."
Her fingers pressed firmly against Martin's mouth. "Hush. Don't blame yourself. You're a wonderful man and if it weren't for your making Frasier hire me…"
Martin hugged her again. "Yes, I know and I don't regret my decision for one minute. I didn't count on Niles falling in love with you, but I'm glad he did. And I'm even gladder that you fell in love with him, because you both gave me the most perfect gift I could ever receive… my grandson."
She began to cry harder and hugged him tighter than ever before as her tears dampened his shirt, but he didn't seem to care. "I love you, Martin. "
He sighed deeply, hugging her tighter. And he heisted but for a moment before he spoke again. "I love you too, Daphne."
