He pulled her into his arms, cautiously to avoid angering her. For there was only one reason that she was crying so.

"Daphne, please… Please don't cry. I'm so sorry. If you want me to leave..."

"No…" She said, pulling him closer. "I'm not upset. And I'm not angry, Niles. Not at all. I just… I can't believe that you came all the way over here so late at night just to apologize."

"I know it was inconvenient and I'm sorry that I woke you, but I couldn't waste another moment worrying you. My heart is still breaking, remembering those phone messages that you left and I'll never forgive myself for hurting you. I know you don't want me to keep apologizing, but I'm going to spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I-."

She silenced him once again with a kiss. "You're so sweet and kind. Thank you for the beautiful flowers. And thank you for spending New Year's Eve with me."

"Daphne, is there anything I can do right now to make it up to you? I know the offer is trite, but-."

She smiled and kissed him once more. "Stay with me, Niles. Right here on the sofa. I'm awfully tired and I should be going to bed, but-."

His heart skipped a beat in anticipation of her next words. "Yes?"

She hugged him tightly, kissing his lips again and again. "I'd rather sit here on the sofa, wrapped in the arms of a handsome man until we both fall asleep. You must be awfully tired as well."

He nodded. "I am rather worn out."

"I'm sure your brother won't mind if you stay here and besides, tonight you're my guest so he can't say a thing about it! But I have an idea."

Curious, he gazed into her eyes. "I'm listening."

She laughed and kissed his cheek. "I love how you say that! Okay, tomorrow, when your brother and father are home from their dates or whatever they've been doing tonight, I'm sure they'll be asleep all day, so why don't you and I spend New Year's Day together? Just the two of us?"

"That sounds heavenly."

They sat down on the sofa and she snuggled against him. He reached for the soft throw that was crumpled up in the corner (no doubt one that she'd been using earlier, while waiting for him to join her for New Year's Eve), and laid it across her shoulders. She sighed and kissed his lips once more, content to snuggle against his chest. His lips brushed her cheek and then her forehead and he smiled as her eyes slowly closed. Soon she was asleep, wrapped in his arms; the scent of her hair wafting under his nose.

And then he too fell asleep, comforted by her warmth.

"I love you Daphne. Happy New Year." He wasn't certain if he'd said the words out loud, but he meant them wholeheartedly.

He awoke some time later, surprised to find that he was alone on the sofa. A sense of worry came over him and he stood, looking around the living room.

"Daphne?"

She emerged from the shadows, looking every bit the angel that she was. "I'm sorry if I worried you. I thought you might be cold so I went to the closet to get another blanket. That one is awfully small, don't you think?"

Her thoughtfulness touched him deeply. "Thank you, Daphne. It is a bit chilly in here, despite the fire."

She joined him on the sofa and snuggled against him once more, kissing his cheek. "Well then I suppose we'll just have to keep each other warm."

They moved closer together under the blanket and soon they fell into slumber once more. Never had the beginning of a new year been so sweet.

THE END

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