Chapter 3

Niles and Daphne found themselves looking each other in the eye for the first time that night.

"Daphne," he breathed.
"Hello. I hope you don't mind the company."

Niles shook his head.

"Your company is always welcome."

They sat there in silence and watched the water on the fountain as water gently cascaded down, the sound it made was soothing. They slowly moved closer together until they were leaning against each other. At some point they started holding hands. Neither of them was sure who made the first move. Maybe they both did.

Daphne glanced back at Niles. He was staring at her as if trying to capture the memory, a sad longing in his eyes. Daphne smiled at him, knowing now what she wanted to do.

"I was wondering if you might be free for a date."

Niles breath caught in his throat at her words.

"Oh, my god. Yes." He leaned forward and kissed her, deeply, not caring if someone spotted them. Daphne leaned into it, savoring the sensation of his lips against hers. Nothing had felt as good, as right, as that moment did.

They broke apart.

"I love you," he said.
"And I love you," she replied.

They sat there staring at each other, unsure of their next move.

"Can we leave?" Daphne didn't want to think of the wedding behind her.

Without hesitation Niles stood, and took her hand. They walked quickly through the garden, towards where his car was parked. Niles opened the passenger door for Daphne, closing it behind her, before getting behind the wheel. They sat there for a moment, staring back at the lights of the venue.

"Do we drive back to Seattle?" Niles asked.
"I guess." Daphne shrugged. This felt somewhat like a dream, and she wanted to escape the reality that was back inside.

Niles started the car, and they pulled out, away from the venue.

As they drove, Daphne told Niles how she knew that deciding to go through with the wedding was a mistake. She had realized that the moment that she had spent dancing with him was the best time she had all night. Niles mentioned how he and Mel had fought, and while he cared about her, he rushed into the marriage for selfish reasons. Namely to try and have the strength to get through her wedding. That he had already decided to divorce Mel regardless of how things went this weekend.

They were halfway back to Seattle when Niles' phone rang. They let it ring out, both scared to speak to anyone. However, the third time it rang, they knew they should go back. They would need to face everyone eventually anyway.

Niles answered the phone the fourth time it rang.

"Hello?"
"Niles, it's Frasier. Where the hell are you?"
"Um... I'm at my car."
"What? I need to speak to you. Donny can't find Daphne, and she doesn't have her phone with her."

Niles hesitated before answering.

"She's here, with me."

He reached over and squeezed Daphne's hand. She looked at him, the anxiety of what they needed to do on her face. Niles knew his face probably looked similar.

Frasier however, sounded confused.

"Niles? What's going on? Look, I'll meet you at your car."
"Okay. Uh... we aren't currently at the Wayside Inn, but we are on our way back. We should be there in about... 20 minutes."
"What the hell, Niles? Can you please tell-"

Niles hung up, cutting Frasier off. He glanced over at Daphne.

"That was Frasier. Donny is looking for you."

Daphne looked down at her hands, fiddling with the engagement ring still on her finger.

"How on earth do we do this?"

Niles shook his head.

"I don't know. I guess the best way is to just get it over with. Like ripping off a band-aid."

They sat in silence for the rest of the drive, individually trying to work out what they were going to say.

Frasier was waiting at the end of the driveway for them as they pulled up. They stepped out of the car, and Niles looked at Frasier sheepishly as he took Daphne's hand. Frasier seemed to understand what was going on, but looked at them sternly.

"What on earth were you two thinking, just leaving together in the middle of the night?"
"Frasier, I just-"
"'You just' nothing. You can't run away from everything. Look, I love you both, and if this is what you want, I support you. But, you need to do right by the people inside."

They knew he was right. Niles continued to hold Daphne's hand, but let go as they entered. Donny was waiting there, looking upset.

"Daphne, where the hell have you been? I was worried, you didn't come back to bed."
"I'm sorry, Donny. I- we need to talk about -"
"Listen, whatever it is, it can wait until the morning. I'm tired. Lets go to bed."

Donny took Daphne's hand and led her away. Daphne shot a look over her shoulder at Niles, who gave her a supportive smile. Daphne didn't protest being led away, deciding she could talk to Donny in their room. After they left, Niles turned to Frasier.

"Um, where's Mel?"

Frasier shrugged.

"Probably still in bed. I tried knocking on your door when I was looking for you earlier, but got no answer."
"Yes, she wears noise cancelling earplugs when she sleeps." Niles sighed.

Frasier clasped Niles shoulder, and said goodnight before he headed back to his room. Niles stood alone in the lobby, unsure what to do. He didn't want to go to his room and share a bed with Mel, it felt wrong. But he wasn't going to wake her at 3 in the morning just to tell her that he was leaving her. Niles decided that he would tell her at some point in the morning.

He walked back to his car to sleep.

Daphne stood in their room with Donny. He was looking at her, a mixture of disbelief and hurt on his face.

"What did you say?"

She swallowed, and repeated what she said.

"I'm sorry, Donny. I can't marry you tomorrow. I'm not in love with you."

Donny shook his head.

"It's just wedding jitters. Sleep on it, honey, and you'll see - you'll be fine in the morning."
"I don't think I will be. You see, I'm in love with Niles."

Donny looked shocked.

"Niles? Niles?!" He shook his head. "No, that doesn't make sense..."
"I'm sorry, Donny. But I've developed feelings for Niles over the last few months. And Niles loves me, too."

Donny refused to believe what she was saying.

"No. He said he wasn't in love with you - we did that whole deposition practice, that's how we met. You were adamant that you were friends only - nothing more."
"Well, at the time I thought that was true."
"What could have possibly changed since then?!"

He looked at her, imploringly, trying to understand what she was saying

"I found out that Niles had feelings for me, and had for years. Then, I started to realize I had feelings for him too. I think I might have always had feelings for him."
"So, you've been, what? Leading me on this whole time?"
"No, of course not, Donny. I've only really come to realize it all a couple of weeks ago - when I saw the court ordered therapist."

Donny started pacing, upset.

"No, we have to get married. We've paid for everything, everyone is here - you promised!"

Daphne felt helpless.

"Dr Crane paid for everything, you didn't have to pay a dime. And he supports me, whatever I choose. And I choose Niles. I'm sorry."
"Daphne, wait. Please, don't throw this all away just for someone you barely know."

Daphne was angry.

"Barely know? I've known Niles for 7 years! I know him better than you! Donny, we've been together just over a year, and you proposed less then 6 months into our relationship. My gut told me to turn down your proposal, break up with you then, but I didn't listen because I thought it was just nerves. Well, I was wrong. Now it's telling me not to marry you, and I've tried ignoring it, I really have, but I don't want to make that mistake twice."

Donny sat on the bed, exhausted.

"Look, it's late. I'm going to sleep. If you're serious about all this, you can find somewhere else to sleep tonight."

Daphne paused for a moment, before nodding.

"Fine. Goodbye, Donny."

She left the room, unsure where she would go.

Niles awoke early. He slept poorly, the car not exactly comfortable. He wondered how Daphne went with Donny the night before. There was a moment where he was worried that she might have lost her nerve, and he would go inside and the wedding would be going ahead. Niles pushed that to the back of his mind.

Daphne wouldn't do that.

He made his way back to the room where Mel was sleeping. He entered, quietly, she was still asleep. Niles got a change of clothes together, showered and dressed. When he exited the bathroom, Mel was awake.

"Good morning." She smiled at him, in a better mood than she was yesterday. "I didn't hear you come in last night."

Niles gave a slightly guilty grin, thinking about his whereabouts the night before.

"Oh, I was up late. Um, I'm just going to duck downstairs to the restaurant, see if I can get some coffee."

Mel walked over and kissed him.

"Grab me one too." She looked at what he was wearing. "I thought you were wearing a different suit for the wedding today?"

Niles glanced down at himself.

"Oh, yes. Um, I- I'll change a little later."
"Well, you can't leave it too late, the ceremony's at 9."

Mel turned around and headed into the bathroom herself. Niles left, and went back downstairs. He entered the dining room, and could see some of the guests were already looking around, whispering. Frasier and Martin were standing by themselves in a corner, talking quietly. Niles quickly made his way over to them.

"Morning. What's happening?"

Frasier looked a bit concerned.

"Things are about to go south. Daphne spent the night in one of her friends' room. So, while Donny hasn't gotten up yet, people are already talking."
"Oh. Um, I haven't said anything to Mel yet. I was thinking... If I can, we'll just leave and I can tell her in Seattle, away from this mess."

Martin shot Niles a look, not agreeing with his son's plan.

"You'd be better off telling her sooner rather than later, Son. It'll be better if she finds out from you before hearing it from anyone else. The way things are looking, it's all going to blow up very soon."

Niles nodded absentmindedly, not really listening to his father.

"Well, guess it's safe to say the wedding is off?" They both looked at him incredulously. "Um... if you see Daphne, please tell her I'll be over to see her tonight. I'd, uh, tell her myself, but I want to get Mel out of here quickly."
"Niles, I agree with Dad. It's probably best to do it here, this morning. Now."

Niles distracted himself while his brother spoke by making coffee for both himself and Mel. He glanced back at Frasier.

"Well, I still need to give her a lift home. I'd rather give her the bad news after, rather than before I need to be alone in a car with her."

Frasier threw his hands in the air, exasperated with his brother.

"Suit yourself. But you would be wise to do it now, otherwise she might find out before you leave."

Niles thought on what Frasier was saying. He still felt that he might be able to get out of here with Mel before that happened. Niles turned to leave, coffee cup in each hand, when Donny came into the dining room, looking furious. He saw Niles, and pointed at him.

"You." Donny stormed towards Niles, who started to back up away from him.
"Donny. Donny, I'm sorry. Listen-" Niles backed into a table, and stumbled, spilling the coffee he was holding onto himself.
"How dare you. I thought you were my friend. Instead, you were just waiting to steal her away from me. You sicken me."

Niles could feel the coffee soaking into his clothes.

"I'm sorry, Donny. I- we never meant to hurt you."
"Yeah, well you did. And you managed to completely embarrass me as well."

Donny glanced around the room at the guests who had gathered, watching the scene unfold.

"That's right, I'm sure you've heard by now. The wedding is off, the bride to be is running off with her boss's brother."
"Donny, that's not fair-"

Donny shot him a look.

"Don't you tell me what's not fair."

He stalked out of the room. Niles felt everyone's eyes on him.

Damn. I'm going to have to tell Mel. Right now.

He walked back over to Frasier and Martin, who handed him some napkins for the coffee he had spilt on himself. Niles attempted to pat himself dry, to no avail.

"Well, guess you were right. I'm off to tell Mel now. Uh, wish me luck."

Niles trudged upstairs coffee-less. He wasn't looking forward to the conversation at all, but knowing what he could have with Daphne gave Niles some hope. She had taken the leap and told Donny, and now he needed to do the same for Mel. Niles just wished he didn't have to do it here.

He entered the hotel room again. Mel was now dressed for the ceremony later that morning. She turned when Niles entered.

"Niles- what happened?" She noticed his coffee soaked clothes.
"Um, bit of a mishap with the coffee." He waved it off.
"Well, lucky you weren't wearing the suit for the wedding after all. You should have just enough time to change."
"Uh, Mel... about that. I need to speak to you. Um, the wedding has been called off."

Mel looked at Niles, confused.

"Well, that's a shame. Are Daphne and Donny okay?"
"Yes, and no. Donny isn't. And Daphne, well... she's in love with someone else... " He swallowed. "Me."

Mel stared at Niles.

"And... I'm in love with Daphne. I have been for years. And, I know this isn't fair to you, but now, knowing Daphne shares my feelings, I... can't stay married to you."

Mel continued to stare at Niles, saying nothing.

"I mean, our marriage was hasty. And I married you for all the wrong reasons - I was trying to convince myself that I was over Daphne. And you deserve so much more." He swallowed again. "So... I'm sorry. I do care about you, but I'm in love with Daphne."

Mel was still silent, her face emotionless.

"Mel, did you hear what I said? Say something. Anything."

Mel screamed. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Niles tried to shush her. Mel looked around wildly, and grabbed a hair brush, throwing it towards Niles. It missed, flying over his shoulder.

"Mel! Stop! Wait!" Niles ducked, moving out of the way.

She stopped screaming, and turned to face him, anger plastered on her face.

"How dare you. You, running off with that whore less than three days after we were married? And to do it here, so publicly? I... I've never been so embarrassed. So angry. I gave so much for you, and this is how you repay me?!"
"Mel, I'm sorry, it was never my intention to-'"
"Never your intention to what? Hurt me? Embarrass me? Waste my time?! I can't believe you!"

She paced back and forth, stuffing clothes into her suitcase, and throwing anything belonging to Niles across the room towards him. Shoes, belts, dress pants went flying. Niles stood at the other end of the room doing his best not to be hit by anything that made its way that far.

"Mel, I'm sorry! I know you're angry, but-"
"Anger doesn't even begin to describe what I'm feeling." She turned to Niles, glaring at him. "I will not be known as the woman left by her husband of three days for a whore maid, who he was fucking on our honeymoon."

Niles looked at her pleadingly.

"Mel, that's not what happened-"

Mel had grabbed her suitcase and slammed the door behind her. Niles stood in the hotel room, his things strewn everywhere. He covered his face with his hands for a moment, before running out the door after her. Niles caught up with Mel in the lobby. Unfortunately, a large group of wedding guests were there, as well as Donny. He saw Niles and yelled loudly.

"There he is, the man who ruined my life! I thought he was my friend, but he just wanted to steal my fiancée and humiliate me on what should have been the happiest day of my life!" The crowd turned to look at Niles, and he found himself the unwitting centre of attention for a lot of Donny's friends and family. Niles tried to ignore them, and caught up with Mel.

"Mel, please let me pay for a cab. I-"
"No! The last thing I need from you is your half-assed pity. Get out of my sight. Now."

Niles complied, backing away. He ran into Martin and Frasier in the hallway.

"Are you alright, Niles? I see you told Mel." Frasier could hear the scene in the lobby. He glanced back at Niles. "Dad and I were going to get our stuff together and leave shortly. What are you going to do?"

Niles smiled wanly.

"I'm going to find Daphne, and wait for her to be ready to leave. I don't know how long that'll be."

Martin glanced at Frasier before speaking.

"Did you and Daphne want us to stick around? For support? Seems like the two of you might need it."

Niles looked at his brother and father, gratefully.

"Please. I-we would really appreciate that." He glanced around. "Do you know where Daphne is? I haven't even seen her this morning."

Martin nodded.

"I saw her briefly this morning, before everyone else got up. She was staying with one of her bridesmaids."

Niles thanked them, then headed off to find out where that actually was.