He greeted her with a kiss as soon as she walked into the third home. Her arms were full of shopping bags, which he took from her immediately.

"Daphne, what is all of this?"

"Christmas presents."

He smiled. "But Daphne, Christmas is months away."

"I know but I couldn't help meself. After me doctor's appointment, I just felt like shopping Oh, I can hardly wait till Christmas."

He smiled, happy to see her in such good spirits. For the past week, he'd been worried about her. She'd been under the weather and although he offered to go to the doctor with her, she politely declined. But now she was absolutely glowing, lessening his fears somewhat. Clearly the doctor's visit had done her a world of good.

"So what kind of Christmas presents did you buy?"

She laughed and began pulling things out of her bags. Niles' eyes widened at the sight of the abundance of toys. "Daphne…"

"I know I got a little carried away, but… well, I couldn't help meself. This will be David's first Christmas ad I want it to be really special for him... and for us. Oh Niles, I love him so much!"

To his dismay she began to cry and he held her close. "Oh Daphne, don't cry, sweetheart. I love you so much and David loves you too." He reached into his pocket and handed her his handkerchief.

Daphne nodded and blotted her eyes with his handkerchief. "He's growing up so fast!"

"He certainly is, but he'll just get more and more handsome as the years go by." Niles remarked.

"I really need to put these things away." Daphne said, gently pulling out of Niles' arms. "David may just be a baby and too young to understand but I don't want him to find his gifts before it's time."

Niles chuckled. "We'll make sure that doesn't happen." He reached into the bag and removed more of the toys. "Wow, you have a lot of things here. What all did you buy?"

Daphne smiled. "Just a few things."

Curious he grabbed another shopping bag and looked inside, removing toy after toy. But something was curiously wrong. "Um, Daphne… these toys are nice, but-."

"But what?"

He held up a pink stuffed elephant and a rag doll with a blue dress. "I'm not sure that David would enjoy these toys. And this…" He put the elephant down and removed a tiny printed dress. "Daphne…"

"Those aren't for David. They're for our daughter."

His eyebrows rose. "But Daphne, we don't have a daughter."

Daphne blushed and kissed him. "We will."

Niles felt tears fill his eyes. "W-what?" You mean-."

She nodded, the tears spilling down her cheeks. "I found out this morning. I'm due on Christmas Day!"

He bolted out of his chair and went to her, taking her into his arms as he kissed her again and again. "Oh Daphne… this is the most wonderful Christmas present imaginable!"

She laughed as they fell against the cushions of the fainting couch. "Niles, Christmas is still months away!"

He stared deeply into her eyes. "Exactly."

As they shared passionate kisses, Niles could hardly wait to meet his daughter. Christmas would be the best day of his life.

THE END