"I... think your clothes are dry." I said feeling the dryness of my lips. "I'll be right back."

"Of course."

Reluctantly I left her, moving to the hallway where took one last glance at my goddess before disappearing into the realms of the laundry room.

Minutes later I returned to find her sitting on the sofa, crying quietly and my heart went out to her.

"Here you are, all clean and dry." I said, careful not to startle her.

When she smiled and quickly brushed the tears from her cheeks, I pretended that I hadn't noticed her sadness.

"Thank you. I'll just be a moment." She said, taking the clothes from me and disappearing upstairs.

I poured myself a sherry, knowing that I would remember this moment for the rest of my life.

When she returned wearing the clothing that she had on earlier, I found her beauty still radiated; perhaps even more so than when she had in Maris' nightgown.

"I should go." She said; her voice trembling as she spoke.

I nodded, unable to speak.

The thought of being without her after the passionate moments we shared was more than I could bear.

We walked hand in hand to the door.

I opened the door to the mansion, breathing in the scent of the crisp air and guided her safely to her car.

"It's awfully late and we haven't had any dinner. Since you went out of your way to be so generous as to help me work things out with Maris, can I repay the offer by making you dinner?"

She smiled then. "That's very sweet of you, but I don't want to keep your father and brother waiting any longer. I'm sure they're worried enough as it is."

"Goodbye, Daphne." I said when she had settled herself into the driver's seat of Dad's car.

"Goodbye Dr. Crane... Niles."

I leaned over to kiss her soft lips. "Goodbye, my love."

She'd no sooner turned on the ignition when she broke down in tears.

"Daphne..."

She turned the ignition off and unbuckled her seatbelt and then pushed the door open.

When she was out of the car, wrapped her arms around me. "I can't bear to leave you." She said, sobbing into my chest.

I stroked her hair as I kissed her deeply, sighing when she ran her fingers over my shoulders and back.

"Then don't." I said.

She pulled away and looked at me in astonishment.

"What?"

There in the wet driveway, I lowered myself to one knee. "Marry me, Daphne."

I blurted out.

Dear God, what was I saying? We'd barely just proclaimed our love for one another and here I was proposing?

It was ridiculous.

Quickly I stood and tried to make amends. "Daphne, I'm sorry, I-."

She looked up at me with tear-filled eyes. "That was the most beautiful thing you've ever said to me."

When I took her in my arms again for a kiss I knew that I'd remember for the rest of my life.

I brushed the hair from her face and kissed her again, softer this time. "You'd better go. Frasier and Dad are waiting for you."

Never taking her eyes off of me, she returned to the car and started the ignition.

"I love you... always." She said kissing me one last time before carefully pulling Dad's car onto the glistening street.

When I watched her drive away and finally disappear around the corner, I hardly noticed the pain I felt of losing her.

For I knew that she'd be my wife someday.

And all because of a dreamy, stormy night.

THE END