Her eyes filled with tears as she watched Ronee kneel beside David and put her arm around his small body. But it was the worried look on her son's face that tore at Daphne's' heart.

"David, Mommy and Daddy are here to take you home, okay? Would you like that?"

He turned to Martin and Ronee, clinging to Martin's pant leg, bringing tears spilling onto Daphne's cheeks.

"It's all right, David." Martin said, locking eyes with Niles. "We had a lot of fun yesterday and today but think of all the fun things you have to do at home."

Daphne smiled at the white lie, for everyone knew that kids always seemed to have more fun at their grandparent's house than at their own. But David's small smile quickly disappeared when he buried his face against Martins' pant leg once more. Daphne swallowed hard and let go of Niles' hand, taking a few tentative steps forward, stopping a few feet in front of her son.

"Sweetheart, Mommy's so sorry for frightening you yesterday. I would never hurt you or Daddy. And he feels the same way about us. We…" Her breath caught in her throat when she felt Niles' hands gently massaging her shoulders. But his tender touch only made her tears fall faster. "We love you so much, Darling."

To Daphne's amazement, David moved away from Ronee and Martin and walked toward her, stopping just inches from her feet. And when his eyes landed on her bandaged hand, the inevitable question followed.

"What happened to your hand, Mommy?"

Daphne closed her eyes, remembering the horrible fight, the thrown glass as it shattered against the wall and the way she'd cried out in pain when she attempted to clean up the broken shards. The blood… and Niles' gentle touch and concern as he tended to her injury.

"Why are you crying, Mommy?" David was asking. "Did someone hurt you? Someone bad?"

"No Sweetheart." Daphne whispered brokenly. "I'm just… so happy to see you. I've missed you so much. I love you."

But David didn't move. He stared at his father fearfully. "What happened to Mommy's hand?"

Niles moved away and crouched in front of his son. "Well do you remember last night when there was that really loud noise in the kitchen?"

"Uh huh…"

"Mommy and I were talking and a glass fell onto the floor and broke. But when she went to clean it up, she cut her hand. Remember how Mommy and I are always telling you to be very careful around broken glass because it might cut you?"

"Yes Daddy." David replied.

"Well, that's what happened to Mommy."

David's eyes widened. "Is she going to be okay?"

Niles took Daphne's bandaged hand and kissed it tenderly. "She'll be fine. Now, are you ready to come home with us? We can watch The Little Mermaid again."

"Okay." David's voice was so soft that Daphne could barely hear him.

"All right then, buddy. Why don't we get your things together?"

David followed Niles around the hallway, disappearing from sight. But Daphne could only stand and stare with tear-filled eyes. And when she made eye contact with Martin, her lower lip trembled. "I'm so sorry, Martin. I love Niles and David so much and-."

He gathered her into his arms and she cried on his shirt, comforted by his embrace. He said nothing but the gentle way he was patting her back spoke volumes. And when he let go, Ronee took his place, embracing Daphne in much the same way.

"It's okay Daphne. Niles told us everything."

"I'm so sorry." Daphne cried, hugging her mother in law tightly.

"Shhh, it's over now." Ronee said soothingly. "There's nothing to be sorry about. Now why don't you go home with your family and enjoy your happy life again?"

"But David-."

"Mommy?"

The sound of her son's voice drew Daphne out of Ronee's arms and she brushed the tears away. And then she crouched down smiling at her handsome son.

"Hello Sweetheart. Are you ready to go?" she asked, bracing herself for the painful answer that might follow. But she was rewarded with something truly wonderful.

David ran toward her, throwing himself into her arms, hugging her so tightly that she almost lost her balance. "I love you, Mommy."

The sweet words made her sob and she kissed David again and again. "Thank you, Sweetheart."

"Why are you crying?"

"Because Mommy loves you so much and I'll never frighten you again, I promise."

"I love you too, Mommy. And I wasn't that scared. Now can we go home? I want to sleep in my own bed."

Ronee and Martin laughed and Daphne kissed David once more. "Of course we can go home, darling. Now say goodnight to your grandparents."

David hugged Martin and Ronee. "Thanks for letting me stay over. Grandpa, wasn't that movie we watched so cool?"

Martin shot Ronee a look. "Um, yeah, you mean the one about the bunny and the deer? What's it called again?"

"Bambi." Ronee said a little too quickly. But Daphne wasn't fooled one bit. She knew that Martin was talking about one of the ridiculous action movies he loved so much. But she said nothing and instead hugged her in-laws again. "Thank you for watching him for us."

"Anytime." Martin said. "And I mean that."

"Thanks, Dad. Ronee." Niles said hugging them both.

As they walked out of the house, Daphne lifted David into her arms, never wanting to let her son go again. She loved him too much.

A/N: Thank you for reading Ch 12. Reviews are appreciated.