Sneaking back into the apartment after spending a good part of the night with Niles had Daphne thinking of her teenage years. On numerous occasions, during her rebellious streak, Daphne had climbed out of her bedroom window, effortlessly sliding down the drain pipe on the side of the house, to meet the Irish chap Mrs. Moon never approved of. That thrill she got from knowing they could get caught in the act at any moment was as addictive now as it had been back then. She was a grown woman, though, and there was nothing to hide. But Daphne didn't want to give Martha the impression that she and Niles had jumped into bed after having just met the previous day.
Once safely in her bedroom, Daphne plopped herself on the bed, arms splayed over her head, feeling exhausted and revitalized. Was it the two hours she and Niles had spent making up for lost time that had her feeling this way? Absolutely. But the thought of knowing he was back in her life had Daphne smiling like a silly little girl. Niles had a way of making her feel like she was the sexiest and most important woman in the world. Her body still tingled from his touch; she'd never forgotten what a great lover he was. And it wasn't because she'd been on a dry spell. Niles really was good at what he did - that much she knew.
As elated as Daphne was over their unexpected reunion, questions still plagued her mind. Where would they go from here? They were obviously still in love with each other but could they just get back together again, picking up the pieces as if no time had ever passed?
Riding herself of her nightgown, Daphne stepped into the shower unsure of what would happen between them but optimistic of the bond that kept their love alive for so many years.
OooooooOooooooOooooooO
Feeling refreshed and overjoyed, Daphne stepped into the kitchen to make breakfast for herself and Martha. The small radio they kept on the counter was put to good used that morning as Daphne searched for a radio station that played some good music she could cook to. It was something she'd been doing since she was young, but in recent years music had served only to depress her. It used to remind her of friends she'd lost, places she'd been to and above all people she'd hurt - Niles included. But that morning, it brought her joy so she turned up the volume, not giving a damn if the neighbors complained. She was happy and no one was going to take that away.
As she began taking the ingredients out of the refrigerator, a familiar song started to play - a particular favorite of hers. She moved around the kitchen, juggling pans and utensils, while dancing and singing at the top of her lungs. The first song she taught Niles how to dance came on and it immediately transported her back to that night. He was terrified of looking silly but when he let go of his insecurities, he quickly learned he was a good dancer. Oh what a night...
"Daphne!" a voice called from outside.
"In the kitchen!" she answered, turning the music down. Was that a man, she wondered.
A tall, handsome, dark-haired man with hazel eyes and a charming smile walked into the kitchen. He put his suitcase down and with open arms greeted, "Hey, Daph!"
Giggling, Daphne turned off the stove and ran to the man at the door, tightly embracing him. "Anthony! When did you get back?"
"I got in this morning and decided to come here straight from the airport to surprise you beautiful women."
She chuckled. "I'M surprised!" They parted and walked to the kitchen table, seating themselves. "How was your trip?"
"Oh, you know. All work, no play. But I do have some news."
"Good or bad?"
"Well..."
"Go on," she said. "Spill!" She really hated being kept in suspense.
"I made partner at the agency!"
"Oh, my gosh! Anthony, that's fantastic!" Daphne jumped from her chair, running back into his arms, and kissed him on the cheek. This day just keeps getting better and better, she thought.
"Thank you, Daph," he said returning the kiss.
"Your mum is going to be so proud of you."
"I can't wait to tell her." As he pulled back, keeping Daphne in his arms, Anthony noticed there was something different about her. A sort of glow he'd never seen on her in the three years they had known each other. He didn't mean to stare but he couldn't help it. She looked radiant and he knew it had nothing to do with his good news.
"What?" she asked self-consciously. "Is there... something on my face?"
"No, no. It's just..." he paused taking a closer look at her. "You're so... radiant! Yeah, that's it. Radiant."
"Do I?" Daphne pulled out of him embrace with cheeks turning a bright shade of pink. She'd been caught.
"Yes, you do," he teased. Making her blush was his mission in life and he rarely succeeded, but this time he'd gotten her. Seeing her embarrassed and awkward had him fighting back laughter. She looked so endearing but there was definitely something going on. One way or another, he was going to get it out of her. "Is there something I should know?"
Daphne had never been a good liar - except when lying to her mother - and when put under pressure by other people, she cracked faster than a peanut under an elephant's foot. Even though they rarely saw each other, over the years they had grown very close so he knew what made her tick. But this was one secret she was determined to keep.
"No," she calmly answered. "Nothing." He looked at her with suspicious eyes.
"Anthony!" came Martha's voice from the door. Daphne had never been more relieved to see that woman in her life. He turned, running to his mother's arms, lifting her a few inches in the air.
Getting back to their breakfast, Daphne breathed a sigh of relief. But as Anthony shared the good news with his mother, she couldn't help smiling when she caught of glimpse of her employer - a mother - crying tears of joy. Martha had been nothing but supportive of her son's career and now here he was on his way to becoming one of the most powerful men in the state. It was an emotional scene - one that didn't require THE WHO playing in the background. Turning down the volume on the radio, she busied herself with grabbing the dishes from the cupboard and began serving a celebratory breakfast for three.
"Come on, Anthony, tell me all about it."
Martha dragged her son out of the kitchen and into the living room, but before he was out the door, he mouthed to Daphne, I'm not done with you. In comparison to her hooligan brothers, Anthony was like the younger, more tolerable, brother she never had. And just like a pesky little brother, she knew he would eventually figure out the source of her happiness. But Daphne was going to keep mum.
OooooooOoooooooOoooooooO
After breakfast, when all the dishes had been cleared from the table, Martha went up to her room for a nap. Anthony stayed in the kitchen with Daphne, keeping her company and helping her load the dishwasher.
"So," he began. Daphne knew exactly what he was about to ask. "Are you going to tell me?"
"Tell you what?" she asked coyly.
"What has you so... I don't even know the word for it but you're definitely something. Happy? No. Excited? No. Ecstatic? Maybe. Glow-"
"Which is it then?" she giggled.
"You tell me, Ms. Moon," he retorted.
She stood quietly in front of him, choosing her words carefully. "Let me put it this way, Berlington," she placed a hand on his shoulder, "I ran into an old friend that I haven't seen in years. That's all I'm saying."
"A man perhaps?" Daphne kept her lips tightly closed. "All right, but I'll figure it out. I'm changing the subject now, okay?"
She chuckled squeezing his shoulder. "Thank you."
"I need your help with something."
"What is it?"
"I think Kate and I are going to get a divorce."
"What? Why?"
"It's been kind of rocky for a while, especially since Kate... Kate's infidelity."
"Oh, Anthony I am so sorry. But how can I help?"
"I just need you to keep this a secret for now." Another secret she had to keep but she would do anything for such a dear friend.
"Okay."
"We tried couples' counciling, thinking it might help us get through it but we're not making any progress. The fights are becoming more frequent and we rarely sleep in the same bed." Daphne nodded, holding his hand. "I thought taking her to Cleveland with me for the month and a half might have helped us work things out, you know, but it made matters worse."
"When did her- her infidelity-"
"About a year ago."
"Does your mother know?"
"No. That's why I'm asking you to keep this a secret for now. I'll tell her when the time is right. The last thing I want is for her to worry over something like this. Kate and I have decided to separate but things aren't looking good. That's why she's not here. I told mom she was at her mother's."
"The less she sees of your wife, the more suspicious she'll grow."
"I know." He lowered his gaze, sighing deeply as Daphne took him in her arms.
"I'm here for you. Don't forget."
"Thanks Daphne." They remained in each other's embrace until the buzzer for the dishwasher signaled the dishes were done. "Now, come. Let me help put the dishes away."
Letting go of each other, they went to the task at hand.
A/N: R&R please.
