Daphne smiled nervously as Roz hefted a diaper bag onto her shoulder and carefully tucked a sleeping David into his stroller. She looked wistfully at her now three-month-old son. Was it really right to leave him in someone else's hands for a whole night? Roz would take care of him as if he were her own (and of course she'd had plenty of experience parenting little Alice), but still...
"Daphne? You should finish getting ready. Our reservation at Dimitri's is in half an hour."
Niles' voice snapped her out of her thoughts and she turned to see him smiling at her, looking incredibly handsome in a new suit and a blue tie that complimented his sparkling blue eyes.
"All...all right," she said reluctantly. "Just let me say goodbye to David."
"Of course," Niles said, joining her in quickly kissing David goodbye. But Daphne lingered.
"Be sure to feed him when you get home," she told Roz. "Make sure his formula isn't too hot, and don't forget he goes to sleep at-"
"Daphne, Daphne," Roz gently interrupted. "You don't need to worry. I have his schedule memorized. And I'm not exactly new to childcare. Alice and I will take good care of him."
A concerned frown still lined Daphne's face, but she nodded resolutely.
"Of course. Goodbye, you two. We'll come by your place around seven tomorrow morning to pick him up," Daphne sighed.
Without another word, Roz exited the Montana apartment. Daphne sighed heavily and turned to her husband with a worried expression.
"Are you sure he'll be okay? He's so young," she asked almost fretfully.
"He'll be fine, my love," Niles said assuringly. "And Roz and Frasier both say it's good for babies to have lots of different experiences when they're young, because it helps them adjust to changes in routine."
"If you're sure…"
Niles pulled Daphne into a warm kiss.
"Everything will be all right, my love. Now, why don't you finish getting ready?"
"All right, you win," Daphne teased. "I just need to touch up my hair."
When she returned, Niles smiled at her approvingly, looking her up and down..
"You're absolutely stunning."
"You already said that, several times," she said with a grin.
"Well, it's worth repeating," he said, as he admired her again; she looked like a goddess in a flowing, knee-length dress, the shimmering, golden silk flowing like water as she moved. The color made her brown eyes look even warmer.
Niles gave her one more admiring smile, and then they left the apartment, looking forward to a romantic dinner at Seattle's newest, top-rated Greek restaurant. It had been difficult to procure a reservation, but Niles had persisted. He wanted this evening to be perfect for the woman he loved so deeply. He had been planning this for weeks; dinner, dancing, and when they got home…he smothered a grin as he thought of showing Daphne how much she meant to him. They hadn't had an uninterrupted night of lovemaking for several months, but he wanted to change that, and hoped she felt the same way.
A short time later…
"This is lovely, Niles," Daphne said approvingly.
They stepped into the restaurant, which elegantly but tastefully imitated a traditional Greek villa, and was decorated with classic Greek motifs and art. Glimmering chandeliers cast a warm light, and traditional Greek music played softly in the background. The maitre'd ushered them to their table with friendly efficiency, and soon Niles and Daphne were poring over the menu.
When they had decided at last and the server took their orders back, Niles and Daphne fell into an easy conversation.
"This is wonderful, Niles," she smiled at him. "I haven't had you to myself for a whole night for...a long time."
He grinned at her. "I told you everything would be all right," he pretended to chide..
"It's almost like we're still dating."
"Only we're married and we have a wonderful baby boy..." Niles laughed.
For this he earned a playful swat from his wife.
"You know what I mean," she laughed.
At that juncture, the waiter appeared with their meals of a Greek salad and fresh, flaky spanakopita. Served with the Grecian wine Niles had ordered, it was a very enjoyable meal, and Niles and Daphne took their time savoring the delicious food, more than content to take their time, talking about anything and everything, from Frasier's latest feud with Cam Winston to the rumors that Phil Patterson, now a California senator, was now pressuring the president himself to open an official investigation supposed UFO sightings above the White House.
They finished off their experience with sweet, flaky baklava, and as they made their way slowly through the delicious desert, Niles gazed wistfully at Daphne, and after some time had passed, she raised an eyebrow and looked at him inquiringly.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked.
He held her gaze with such intensity that she felt a surge of fondness for him. That look in his eyes made her feel like the most treasured, most desirable woman in the world.
"If anyone had told me, years, ago, that you would someday be my wife and we'd have a child together, I would've thought they were crazy," her husband said tenderly. "I never thought I'd have a chance with you to begin with, and to see where we are now…" His voice trailed off for a moment. "Sometimes I can't believe how lucky I am."
Daphne blinked back tears of happiness.
"The feeling is mutual," she murmured, and leaned across the table to kiss him deeply, happily unmindful of the room full of patrons.
Later…
Niles and Daphne stepped into the Twilight Room, taking in the exclusive bar and ballroom, which was even more beautiful than the ballroom they'd danced in for the Snow Ball, those many years ago. The tall windows of the airy, expansive room looked over the Sound, revealing a beautiful sunset.
"Why don't we get a drink and watch the sunset before we dance?" Niles suggested.
"Sunset…" Daphne repeated absently, and looked at her watch. "Oh, no! IIt's almost David's bedtime. I need to call Roz and make sure he's doing all right."
"I'm sure he's doing just fine. You know how Roz and Alice dote on him," Niles said gently. "I don't want to miss seeing a beautiful sunset with a beautiful woman. Just one more moment, please, Daphne?"
A slight edge in Daphne's voice startled him.
"Niles, I just need to make sure our son is happy."
"Daphne..."
"Just...let me make the call, Niles."
Niles nodded stiffly, stung by her uncharacteristic harshness, as she made her way to a quiet corner. He waited patiently, but by the time she returned, the sun had slipped under the horizon and darkness was beginning to fall.
"Everything going well with our boy?" Niles asked with a smile. Maybe he shouldn't have been so hurt. Daphne was a first-time parent, after all, and this was their first night without him. It was only natural that she would feel worried.
"Roz said he'd been crying for a while but she managed to 'calm him down eventually'", Daphne said, frowning worriedly. "Maybe we should leave early. We had a nice dinner and we can always continue this another night. What about when he wakes up, what if he's upset when we're not there to-"
Niles stifled a frustrated sigh, torn between trying to understand Daphne's concern and knowing that spending time nurturing their bond as a couple was just as important. He had planned the perfect evening for them to explore their love and to show her how much he adored her.
"Now that he's settled in, he'll 'sleep like a cat', as Ronee said of him once," Niles said firmly, and was relieved to see Daphne smile at him in return.. A waltz started and he pulled her into his arms. "Dance with me, Daphne."
"How can I say no to you when you look at me like that?" she said, immediately pressing into his body, relishing the warmth and security of his arms around her.
They floated onto the dance floor, completely invested in each other, as if there was no one in the room but them. One song after another, they followed the music perfectly, moving as one, enjoying the closeness and romance of the moment. It was the last song, however, that made Daphne stop and look incredulously at her husband.
"Niles, this is the same song we danced to at the Snow Ball! The tango. How..."
She stopped short when she saw how he was grinning playfully at her.
"I may have had something to do with that. But enough talk. Why don't we relive that night?"
Daphne pulled him close in response, her body snug against his, and began a tango even more passionate than the one they'd shared that night so many years ago. But this time there was no acting, no pretending, just a man and woman madly in love, lost in each other's arms. They finished with a fiery kiss, oblivious to an enraptured audience.
Back at the Montana…
Breathless and invigorated, they left the Starlight Room in high spirits, still glowing from their night of dancing. Once they were alone, in the sanctuary that was their luxurious apartment, Niles looked at Daphne and grinned mischievously.
"What are you thinking, Niles Crane?" she asked. "I know you're up to something when you look like that."
"I thought maybe you could...get into something more comfortable while I attend to something here?" Niles flirted. "I really would like to show you how much I love you, if you'll have me."
"What, the dinner and dancing weren't enough?" Daphne teased, and then she became more serious. "I would like that, actually. I'll be right back."
When Daphne had gone upstairs, Niles quickly went to work on his surprise for her, lighting candles, selecting her favorite music, and many other details that he'd been arranging ever since they'd planned their first evening alone with each other in many months. By the time he heard his wife's familiar tread on the stairs, everything was ready. He felt oddly nervous as she returned; he was eagerly awaiting her reaction.
To his puzzlement, Daphne was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, and her keys and purse dangled from one hand.
"Going somewhere?" he asked, bewildered.
"Yes, I'm sorry to call it a night now, but I'm going to pick up David," she answered.
"Did something come up for Roz?" Niles tried to draw her out.
"No. But Roz called and asked for advice," she explained. "She said David won't settle down to sleep. I think it's time to take him home."
Niles felt a rising frustration that was difficult to keep out of his voice. He took a deep breath and spoke with careful patience.
"There are lots of things Roz could try," he suggested. "Just like we do here, when he can't sleep. She has that lullaby CD Frasier gave her when she had Alice. Babies always have trouble sleeping sometimes, no matter if they're at home or with someone else. Stay with me, Daphne. I've been wanting to give you a night like this for so long."
Daphne cut him off and gave him a look that showed him she wouldn't budge. He shrank inwardly, disappointment filling him. Couldn't Daphne see how important it was that they make time for themselves as a couple? How much he had put into this night to please her? He opened his mouth to plead one more time, but she shook her head sternly.
"Maybe a night of fun is more important to you than our own son, but I have my own priorities," Daphne said coldly. "I'm perfectly content with just the dinner and dancing. I just wish you'd see it that way, since you're David's father. I think you could be more concerned."
Niles couldn't have been more stunned if she had slapped him in the face. The words hurt him deeply, cutting into his heart like a knife. He felt a flash of anger, followed by utter disappointment in Daphne, which was even worse. He hadn't felt so disappointed in her since the time she'd interfered with one of his patient's cases.
"Do what you think best," he said hollowly, unable to look at her.
"I'll be back home with David as soon as possible, but you don't need to wait up for me."
She swept out of the apartment, leaving a deathly silence and a very hurt husband behind her. Still, he waited for a few minutes, hoping that perhaps she would change her mind, and he would sweep her into his arms and give her pleasure and intimacy that she'd never forget. But the silence remained. Niles dejectedly snuffed out the candles, switched off the CD player, and put a tray of champagne and snacks away. He glanced at the sea of blankets and pillows he'd arranged before the fireplace but didn't have the heart to put it all away now. He could think of nothing but the words Daphne had said to him. He needed a distraction, and went into his office to pore over patient files.
Never had he ever fathomed that his wife could be so cold toward him.
What had started out as a dream had turned to disaster.
(to be continued)
Greetings, dear readers. It's been a quite a while since my last fic. I hope y'all are staying safe. I should clarify that I know very little if anything about baby care and development so if I get something horribly wrong about parenting it's not intentional!
Dimitri's is inspired by the real life Dimitri's in Tarpon Springs, Florida, which overlooks the sponge fishery docks. Spanakopita is spinach and feta cheese in a flaky crust and it is amazing.