She was sitting in a chair right outside of the door and Niles wondered how he could have missed her. He'd walked by this very spot at least three times before. When the sound came again he rushed to her side, coaxing her out of the chair and into his arms.
"Oh God, I was so worried when I couldn't find you and-."
"I-I'm sorry..."
Her soft sobs impelled him to draw back and gaze into her tear-filled eyes sighing deeply.
"What's wrong?"
"I-I just..."
"Did Dad say something to upset you?"
She shook her head. "N-No. We were having a lovely conversation, perhaps the most heartfelt we'd ever had. I kissed his cheek and told him that I loved him but then I started thinking about all that we've been through and about how we almost lost him. Niles, I don't know what I'd do if he ever-."
When her voice broke and she sobbed into her hands, Niles took her into his arms once more.
"It's okay..." He whispered, drawing her closer to kiss her cheek.
"Niles, if I would have lost him, I would have never been able to tell him how wonderful he is. If he hadn't made your brother hire me, I would never have found you."
"Daphne, how can you say such a thing? Of course we would have found each other. I believe it was fate that brought us together, not Frasier. Although I do owe him greatly."
"But if your brother hadn't hired me, we might have never met and I'd be all alone and-."
Niles took Daphne's tear streaked face in his hands and kissed her deeply.
"My love, you're not alone. I promise I'm not leaving. I'm staying right here with you."
She kissed him with little regard for those who might be passing by. And as the kisses continued, he wanted nothing more than to comfort his frightened, loving wife.
But there was one thing he needed to do first.
"I want to get out of here, Niles! I hate hospitals! I hate them! I mean ever since your heart surgery-."
He drew her close. "Shhh... It's all right. I'm here."
"Wh-what if Martin doesn't make it, Niles? What if something happens? He's so weak and-."
"He'll be fine, I promise."
"I love you." She said; her quivering voice muffled against his chest.
"I love you too. Now, come on. Let's say goodnight to Dad and then we'll go home to our son."
Finally she smiled and kissed him again.
"All right."
Together they walked into Martins' room where Frasier was standing at his father's bed side.
"I thought they said one family member at a time."
"It is, so what in the hell are you all doing in here again?" Martin grumbled.
Niles and Daphne exchanged glances.
"Well, we just-."
"We wanted to say goodnight." Daphne finished. "And then I promise we'll get out of your way."
"Good." Martin grumbled, trying unsuccessfully to hide his smile.
Daphne hugged Martin and kissed his cheek. "I Love you, Martin and I promise to make your favorite meal when you get home."
Martin's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Yes, but a healthy version! One without all that butter and oil! I don't want to see you back in here again, do you understand me?"
"That makes two of us."
Niles looked at Martin worriedly.
"I'll be fine, Son. I promise"
Suddenly Niles leaned down and hugged his father firmly. "I love you, Dad."
" I love you too, Niles. Now get out of here."
