Chapter 21

Niles is trying to get the nursery finished. David and Emily are spending the night with Alice. Daphne picked out the wallpaper and the furniture. Niles found a beautiful wooden crib for the baby. Daphne hasn't seen it yet, he wants to surprise her with it. He knows she will love it; he bought it from one of the best baby furniture manufactures in the country. Niles had the crib brought in while Daphne was napping. Daphne has been sleeping a lot more now that she is getting closer to her due date; she only has 3 months left. (In chapter 17 I said that Daphne was 5 months along, she is actually 6 months along, sorry for the mistake.) They are both anxious for the baby's arrival. The closer that Daphne gets to her due date, the more anxious they get. They are going to have a baby girl!

Once Niles gets the finishing touches done on the nursery, he decides to wake Daphne to show her the new crib. Once he gets to the bedroom, he sees Daphne passed out on the bed, flat on her back. It seems that's the only comfortable position for her at this stage of pregnancy. Niles sits down on the bed next to Daphne and tries to wake her.

"Daphne time to wake up, darling."

Daphne stirs a bit and then is still again. Niles tries again.

"Daphne, wake up."

Daphne stirs a bit and then her eyes flutter open. She takes a minute to remember where she is as she comes out of her state of deep sleep.

"Niles?"

"Yes, it's me darling."

She sits up as she yawns and stretches.

"I must have been tired. How long I was I asleep for?"

"You were asleep for at least four hours."

"This pregnancy has really made me tired. This little girl is very demanding." Daphne says as she rubs her belly.

"Oh, there was a kick!" Daphne exclaims.

Niles grins.

"No, I haven't forgotten about you, little girl. I know you're hungry. Let's go get something to eat." Daphne tells the baby as she rubs her belly.

"Daphne there is something I wanted to show you in the nursery."

"I can't wait to see it, Niles. But I want to get something to eat first, when this girl wants to eat, she wants to eat. Come with us." Daphne grabs Niles' hand.

Niles takes his wife's hand and follows her to the kitchen. Once they are in the kitchen Daphne starts pulling food out of the fridge and eating it.

"Aren't you going to get a plate?"

"I will in a minute." Daphne says with her mouth full of food.

Niles just watches his wife. She makes sure that their unborn daughter is happy and healthy; she does everything she can for their unborn daughter. You can see the love she has for her. Niles has never seen anything more beautiful in his life.

"Niles?"

Daphne breaks Niles from his thoughts.

"Yes, my love?"

"You said you wanted to show me something in the nursery?"

"Yes, yes I did. Let's go."

Niles grabs Daphne's hand as they head towards the nursery. Once they get there Niles puts his hand over Daphne's eyes.

"Niles what are you doing?"

"I want to surprise you, darling. So close your eyes."

Niles takes his hand off her eyes and sees that she had closed them.

"Are you ready?"

Daphne nods.

Niles turns the doorknob and opens the door as he leads Daphne into the nursery.

"Okay darling, open your eyes."

Daphne opens her eyes and lets out a big gasp.

"Oh Niles, it's beautiful! I love it! It is the most beautiful crib I have ever seen!"

"I knew you would like it. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it."

Daphne walks around the crib admiring it.

"You are going to love your new crib, baby girl. Your daddy bought it for you. He is just spoiling you rotten, and you aren't even here yet."

Niles watches Daphne admiring the crib. Niles heart just swells with love and pride for this woman carrying his child, his eyes well up with tears. He couldn't be happier right now.

Daphne finishes looking at the crib and approaches Niles.

"Niles, thank you so much for the beautiful crib. You are the most amazing husband and father. This baby is lucky to have you and so are David and Emily. I love you."

"I love you too, Daphne." Niles says as he wraps his arms around his wife.

They just hold each other for a few minutes until the baby starts kicking. She wants some attention as well.

Niles kneels down and starts talking to the baby.

"You just love kicking you mommy don't you? Why don't you give her a little break, huh? I just love you, baby girl." Niles places a kiss on Daphne's belly and then he stands up.

"I think me and our daughter came to an understanding. I told her to stop kicking you so much, and I think she will. She will listen to her daddy."

"Oh Niles, you are being a daddy already and she isn't even here yet."

"It's never too soon to start acting like a dad." Niles says as he kisses his wife.

They walk out of the nursery arm in arm. They decide to call Roz to find out how David and Emily are doing.

Meanwhile…

Roz, Alice, David, and Emily are at Chuck E. Cheese's for lunch but the kids are doing more playing then eating. Roz is watching the kids play as her cell phone rings.

"Hello?"

"Roz, its Daphne."

"Hi Daphne, is something the matter?"

"Oh no, I just wanted to call and see how the kids were doing. I wanted to make sure they were behaving themselves. I know me Emily can be a handful."

"They are doing just fine. We are at Chuck E. Cheese's and just having a great time."

"I'm glad. Guess what Niles did today?"

"What?"

"He bought a brand new, beautiful, wooden baby crib. He got it from one of the top baby furniture manufactures in the country."

"That's great, Daphne. I can't wait to see it myself. Niles is spoiling that baby and she isn't even here yet."

"I know, he is so excited for this baby. He is such a good father. Roz, how did I get so lucky to find such a wonderful man?"

"You got the pick of the litter, Daphne. Men like Niles don't come around every day. Men like him are hard to find."

"I know, and out of all the women in the world, he picked me, little old Daphne Moon from Manchester."

"Hold on to him, Daphne. That man has worshipped you from the time he laid eyes on you and you won't find any other man that will love you like he does or treat you the way you deserve. I hope I find a man like that."

"If it can happen for me Roz, it can happen for you, don't give up."

"Thanks, Daphne. Well I better go; I need to check on the kids. I will see you later this evening."

"Yes, later this evening. Thanks again for watching the kids. Bye."

Daphne hangs up the phone. She turns around and sees Niles leaning over, looking for something. She gets tears in her eyes watching him. She wipes the tears away and approaches him. She wraps her arms around his waist startling him.

He stands up to his full height and places his hands atop his wife's.

"What is this for?"

"For just being you, I love you Niles Crane and I always will. I am so lucky to have you."

"I feel the same way, Daphne. You are my angel, my Goddess and I have felt that way ever since I first laid eyes on you. I will always feel that way. I cherish you."

"I cherish you, too." Daphne caresses Niles cheek with her hand. They look into each others' eyes and then pull into a passionate kiss…