"Daphne?"
Faintly, as if she was underwater and trying to make out voices above her, Daphne heard Niles speak her name. Slowly she opened her eyes, coming out of a fitful she looked up, she saw him looking steadily at her, his blue eyes full of concern.
"Daphne, what's wrong?"
The gentle look he gave her was meant to be comforting, but the ready tears started again. He was so loving, even after the horrible things she'd done and said. Even after she'd ruined a beautiful, romantic evening. And she was even more amazed when Niles sat beside her and gathered her into a gentle embrace.
"Hey, sweetheart, don't cry," he begged, truly distressed at her tears. No matter what, he loved Daphne greatly, and would always comfort her.
"How can you still be so caring?" Daphne asked mournfully. "After how I treated you tonight?"
"Daphne, I could never not care for you when you're so upset," he replied. "What's wrong, my love? I hate to see you like this."
"Everything, Niles! I hurt you, I attacked your character as a father, and I ruined the wonderful night you had planned for me! You're the best husband, lover, and father any woman could ask for, and look how I repaid you!"
"Shh. It's okay. I forgive you. I just needed some time to process everything. I won't let this destroy my love for you. We've had rough patches in our relationship before, and we've always pulled through."
"Really? You mean it?"
"Of course. Now, why don't we start over? There's still plenty of night left to enjoy each other."
Daphne kissed Niles hungrily in return, not breaking the kiss until they had to pull apart to come up for air.
"I take it that's a 'yes'?"
Nestled on the fainting couch, Niles and Daphne savored a tray of tiny cakes, strawberries dusted with sugar, and meringue puffs, accompanied by champagne. The room was quiet, save for the crackling of the fire Niles had lit (for a chill from a winter rainstorm had set in) and music playing softly in the background. For some time, neither spoke, content in the peaceful quiet, so unlike the tense silence of not half an hour before.
Niles gazed yet again at Daphne, who was dressed in a lacy white chemise and robe. There was something so familiar about it...and about this night. After a moment of introspection, a memory was triggered.
A cold, rainy night spent with Daphne in Maris' mansion, sitting before the fire as he comforted her over her breakup with Joe. How badly he had wanted to kiss her as he gazed upon her, her beautiful form highlighted by Maris' sheer white negligee, her shoulders bare.
Thank whatever powers be for the glockenspiel suddenly ringing again, before he did something he couldn't take back. Not only would he have betrayed Maris, if only for a moment-for he had truly wanted things to work out, back when he'd had hope for their marriage-he would have completely ruined his friendship with Daphne. Both had been heartbroken that night; Daphne, from Joe breaking up with her, and he because of Maris accusing him of cheating and then kicking him out. Two heartbroken souls, an intimate atmosphere, and a night that matched the mood was a recipe for hasty decisions.
But tonight, there were no risks, no restrictions, no consequences. Only the freedom to please his wife in every way.
"Earth to Niles! Come in, Niles!"
Daphne's teasing tone brought Niles out of his thoughts, and he turned to her.
"What were you thinking about?" she asked.
"You," Niles said. "More specifically, the night you came over to help me make dinner for Maris."
"We were both a wreck, weren't we?" Daphne laughed. "And your brother was so outraged. He thought we were going to-"
She flashed her husband a naughty grin.
"Yes, Frasier does have a habit of assuming the worst," Niles chuckled.
"But I can't say I didn't think about it."
This was too much for poor Niles.
"WHAT?"
"Well, you were just being so sweet to me, and you were looking very sexy in your smoking jacket and that fancy shirt."
Niles relaxed and laughed.
"And here I thought I'd gone too far by wanting to kiss you," he returned, and then his voice became more serious. "I'm glad we didn't give in. There would've been too much collateral damage, especially with Maris. I did want our marriage to work out, you know."
"I know," Daphne said. "But now we don't have to hold back."
Before he could reply, she gently pushed Niles against the arm of the fainting couch and lowered her lips to his for a kiss. The kiss started soft and sweet, but quickly turned passionate and demanding. He didn't hesitate in reciprocating. He could taste the champagne on her lips, which heightened the already intoxicating sensations.
"Maybe-we should-lie down by the fireplace," Niles panted as they pulled apart. "We'll be much more comfortable there."
Worldlessly, Daphne pulled him toward the blankets and pillows arranged on the floor.
"But first, I need to get out of this," she flirted.
Niles was only too happy to oblige; he removed her robe, kissing her soft shoulders, before slowly, teasingly, undressing her. He stepped back when he was done, taking a moment to admire her. Daphne waited patiently, a tender smile lighting her face. The warm, flickering firelight softly highlighted every curve of her beautiful body and Niles could not tear his gaze away.
"My turn," Daphne said after a few moments of silence, and swiftly undressed him. She, too, took some time to appreciate the view, her eyes scanning every inch of his lean form. He was so sexy, and he was all hers.
"And now," she said after a few moments, "the main event."
They sank to the floor together, Daphne cushioned against the blankets and pillows as Niles began to kiss and caress her. The star-crossed lovers took their time, slowly exploring all of each other, the cozy silence descending once more as they let their lips and hands express their love. Then, like the spark of a fire, a deeper passion was ignited and they came together, becoming one. They made love again and again, until, utterly exhausted and sated, they collapsed into each other's arms.
"I love you, Daphne," Niles whispered against Daphne's lips.
"I love you, too, Niles," she answered, and kissed him softy before they both fell into contented slumber.
Daphne and Niles were at Roz's apartment early the next morning. There they found Roz packing up his things while Alice finished giving him a bottle. She was only nine years old, but was handling the baby with the skill of an experienced older sister. Alice stood by, smiling, as Daphne picked up her smiling son. Or, he had been smiling; now he whimpered and reached out for Alice.
"I see you've been replaced," Roz jested.
"I guess I really hadn't needed to worry about him, didn't I?" she replied ruefully. "Not with two very capable hands taking over."
David was still fussing, stretching out his little hands in Alice's direction.
"Hey, it's okay," his mother tried to soothe him.
"We'll take you back to see Aunt Roz and cousin Alice soon," Niles said, ruffling the infant's downy hair.
"I take it you two 'made up'?" Roz asked, smirking meaningfully.
"Made up? We 'made up' several times," Daphne said naughtily, causing Niles to turn a very bright shade of pink.
"Well, anytime you need a babysitter, I'm here," Roz offered.
"Thanks, Roz," Daphne said. "We'll probably take you up on your offer soon."
And then the little family headed home.
~end~