Chapter 7

Niles arrived at Frasier's fairly early the next morning. Daphne opened the door, and Niles went to kiss her, before noticing an apartment full of people watching them intently. Daphne seemed to notice as well, and they both suddenly got self-conscious, barely managing to kiss each other on the cheek. Niles cleared his throat awkwardly as he entered, and greeted the household. Roz seemed to roll her eyes before she went back to writing addresses on boxes. Daphne offered coffee, and Niles eagerly went to help her in the kitchen.

Alone, and away from prying eyes, Niles was able to give Daphne a much more satisfying kiss. Breaking apart, he sighed contentedly.

"Sorry about that - at the door. I guess it still is a bit strange, kissing you in front of everyone." Daphne blushed, and turned her attention towards making coffee.
"Oh, don't apologize. I felt equally awkward." He laughed nervously. "It's funny. I used to imagine coming over and kissing you all the time. Now, it's a reality."

Niles smiled adoringly at Daphne, who returned the smile.

"I'm not sure what you've got planned today, Niles, but I'm trying to get these wedding presents returned as soon as possible. I think I'll start feeling less guilty about how I ended things with Donny once all the reminders are out of the house."
"I was planning on just hanging out with you. If you need help with anything, let me know. I wanted to ask if- actually, before I ask, I was thinking... until I get my divorce sorted with Mel, we should maybe hold off on moving our relationship forward too fast. Wait before we have..." Niles started to blush at the thought "...um, physical relations... That sort of thing."

A wave of relief washed over Daphne. Waiting was something she wanted to do, but Daphne wasn't sure how to broach the subject herself. She knew that Niles might be ahead of her in terms of what their relationship was, as he had several years of unrequited love behind him already, but Daphne needed time to get used to this new dynamic.

"Oh, I'm so glad you said that. I agree completely. I think we need to take the time to get to know each other in this whole new light first."

Niles felt some disappointment that Daphne agreed so readily. He had brought it up and suggested waiting because he knew it would make Daphne more comfortable. Still, a part of him had hoped she wouldn't want to wait.

Oh well. What's a few extra weeks anyway?

Daphne turned to hand Niles his coffee, and they locked eyes, before leaning in for another kiss. Frasier entered the kitchen at that moment, startling them. They broke apart, suddenly feeling awkward again.

Frasier rolled his eyes at them.

"Really now. We all know what's going on."
"Well, I'm sorry, Dr Crane. I'm just not used to kissing the boss's brother in the kitchen. Well, not that I'm used to kissing him any other place." Daphne started to turn red as she realized how that sounded. "I mean, any other room-"
"Yes, yes, I know what you mean." Frasier waved Daphne's nervous rambling off.

Niles sipped his coffee, feeling equally nervous and giddy about the new situation.

Then again, there probably is something about getting used to being a couple. Can't really think about having sex if we are still too nervous to kiss around anyone.

That thought started making Niles feel even more self-aware of his nervousness, when his phone rang. He excused himself and stepped away while Frasier continued talking to Daphne.

"Niles Crane."
"Hello, Niles."

Niles heart sank, as guilt from 24 hours earlier came rushing back.

"Hello, Mel."
"Oh, so you do remember your wife."

Niles stepped out to the balcony, to get some privacy from the stares Roz, Simon and Martin were giving him as soon as they heard Mel's name.

"Of course I remember you. Mel, listen-"
"No, you listen. I need to talk to you about this... betrayal. Meet me at Café Nervosa at 11am sharp. And this should go without saying, but come alone."
"All right, but-"

Mel had hung up as soon as Niles had confirmed the meeting. He stared at his phone for a minute, before closing it and tucking it back into his pocket. He heard the door to the balcony open, and Daphne came out, shutting the door behind her.

"Who was that?" Daphne asked, but she already knew who it was. She could see it in Niles' face.
"That was Mel. She wants to meet me later this morning to talk."
"What about?"

Niles shrugged.

"The obvious, I guess. Our chat yesterday wasn't exactly long. I told her I was leaving her for you, then she stormed out. So... I guess this is to discuss the rest."

He sighed. Daphne came over and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Are you okay?"
"Yeah... I'm sorry. I think I'm just thinking of my divorce with Maris. I can only hope this one goes smoother. I can't use the same attorney this time."

Niles gave a weak smile at the attempted joke, but immediately regretted saying it. Daphne's face fell as she thought about Donny and their situation.

"I'm sorry, Daphne. That was a terribly inconsiderate joke. I don't know what I was thinking."

Daphne shook her head.

"It's okay."
"No, it's not. I'm so sorry. For all of this. I'm just worried Mel will drag things out for me. This situation is entirely my fault..."

Daphne pulled Niles into a hug, holding him for a few minutes. She remembered how difficult and drawn out his divorce to Maris was, and she hoped with all her heart his divorce to Mel was nothing like that. Hopefully, as they'd only been married for a few days, there would be less to untangle. But she still felt stressed about the meeting Niles had today.

They pulled apart.

"I'm here for you, Niles. I love you."
"I love you too, Daphne. Listen. I wanted to ask if you were free tonight for dinner. Our second date. I was thinking dinner at Au Pied de Cochon, then dancing at the Starlight Room."
"That sounds wonderful, Niles. I can't wait." Daphne smiled at the thought.
"Perfect. I'll make the reservations."

They kissed again, in the semi privacy of the balcony. Roz opened the door and stuck her head out, breaking them apart.

"Hey, Daphne. Simon's trying to reopen some of your gifts again."
"Bloody hell. Simon!" Daphne stormed past Roz to yell at her brother.

Roz looked at Niles, and stepped outside.

"So, Niles. Was that Mel on the phone before?"

Niles sighed, noticing Frasier and Martin trying to look like they weren't watching his conversation with Roz.

Of course. The local gossips have sent their correspondent to get some extra info.

"Yes. That was Mel. She wants to meet me for coffee later this morning to talk."
"Yikes. What could be left to talk about?"
"Quite a bit, actually. I'm hoping we can discuss getting our divorce started, and make sure it's a quick and easy process for both of us."

Roz looked surprised.

"You really think Mel won't try something to punish you for what you did?"

Now Niles looked surprised.

"Why would she? I know I hurt her, but I don't think she'd really try to make things difficult."
"I dunno, she seems like the vindictive type. I saw your room yesterday after you broke up with her."

Niles waved Roz's concerns away.

"That was just a natural impulsive response to decidedly bad news. Besides, none of you ever took the chance to get to know her properly. She's not that type of person."
"Okay, Niles. If you say so. You do know her best."

Roz looked like she was going to head back inside, when she turned around again.

"Look. All I know is that she's said some things around me that have given me reason to think she might try and pull something when she's hurt."
"Like what?" Niles was curious.
"Well, like at that Christmas party at KACL. She seemed very quick to jump to conclusions and name calling just because you saw Maris."
"Well, that's a-"
"And that time we had her over for brunch. You didn't see it, but she was pretty critical of every little thing Daphne and I was doing, even though we were doing our best to try and make something to eat in line with her previously unmentioned dietary requirements."
"That's not-"
"All I'm saying is - she puts on a certain face around people, but I think she's capable of being mean if she's wronged."

Niles frowned, thinking.

"I don't know... I'd like to think Mel is above that."
"You were married to Maris for years, maybe your normal meter is off." She shrugged.
"Maybe. I'll keep it in mind, Roz. Thanks."

They both exited into the living room. Simon was sulking in Martin's chair, having been successfully beaten back from the presents by Daphne. Frasier and Martin were sitting at the table eating breakfast. Roz joined them, no doubt to also update them with what Niles had told her outside. Daphne was on the couch, having returned to labelling boxes to return gifts.

Niles checked the time. He was supposed to meet Mel soon, and there probably wasn't too much sense in dallying.

"Um, well, I've got to go. I'm meeting with Mel in about an hour."
"Mel? Whatever for, Niles?" Frasier echoed the same surprise as Roz did earlier.
"Well, I guess the most obvious is to talk about our marriage - or rather, our divorce. She wants to meet me alone at Nervosa."
"Did you want Dad and me to tag along for moral support?"
"What part of alone do you think means 'bring the whole family', Frasier?"

Frasier huffed.

"I meant, we can be at the café, but out of sight. Support you before and after your meeting."
"Oh. Well, I suppose. That would be nice, I'm somewhat anxious about it."

Niles turned to Daphne, who had been listening, concerned. Niles tried to give her a reassuring smile.

"Uh, I'll see you later, Daphne, and confirm our date for tonight."

Daphne blushed, looking pleased at the prospect of a romantic evening together.

"I'm looking forward to it, Niles."

Daphne was labelling the last of the boxes when the phone rang. Frasier, who was about to leave to meet Niles, answered it.

"Daphne, phone call for you. Someone called Sean?" Frasier held the phone out to Daphne.
"Bloody hell, Stilts. You got yet another guy already?" Simon seemed impressed.

Daphne slapped Simon's head as she passed, unamused.

"Of course not, Simon."

She took the phone, trying to remember who Sean was.

"Hello?"
"Hi Daphne, it's Sean. I'm- well, I was Donny's best man."

Oh right. Sean.

Daphne started heading to her room to get some privacy.

"Is everything all right?" She couldn't think of a reason he would be calling her.
"Well, I guess as much as they can be. Donny asked me to call you - he wants you to come over and get your things. Today, if possible."
"Right. I've, uh, got a few of his things too. What time works best for him?"
"He asked me to organize this, so he doesn't have to be there. Whatever time suits you."
"Oh." Daphne felt guilt at the thought. "How does 1pm sound?"
"Works for me. I'll meet you at his apartment."

Call ended, Daphne headed back out to the living room. Frasier and Martin were gone, but Roz and Simon were looking at her with interest.

"So, who is Sean?" Roz didn't waste any time.
"Donny's best man. He's asked me to come and collect my things from Donny's apartment."
"Oof. I'm guessing Donny won't be around?"
"No. I'm going over this afternoon. I don't know if I'm relieved or not that Donny won't be there."
"Well, I'd be relieved, but then again, I haven't had a boyfriend in a while where I've left anything that would be worth going back for."

Daphne nodded. Breakups were hard. She'd ended things with a fiancé once before, but this felt different. Probably because they were mere hours away from actually being wed.

The presents finally labelled, Roz and Daphne loaded them up in her car to take to the post office later. Roz said goodbye, and Simon disappeared again, probably back to the Winnebago. Daphne waited alone, biding her time anxiously while waiting for Niles to return, and for it to be time to head over to Donny's one last time.

Niles was sitting in the café already when Frasier and Martin turned up.

"How are you holding up, Niles?" Frasier asked.
"I'm okay. Nervous."
"Good thing she's meeting you in public. Less chance that she'll snap." Martin pointed out. "Or, if she does, there'll be witnesses."

Niles looked at his father.

"You know, Roz made a similar comment. Everyone seems to think Mel is going to be some vindictive, scorned lover."
"Well, there is a precedent." Frasier commented.

Niles sighed.

"We don't have time to argue about that. Mel's due to arrive any second now. Make yourself scarce."

Frasier and Martin procured another table, and ordered some coffees. They watched as Niles got visibly more nervous as time ticked past 11am and she still hadn't arrived. They went back over to check on him when after 5 minutes Niles was barely fighting off a panic attack.

"She's never late. Oh, god. Everyone was right. She's playing mind games. She's going to make my life a living hell. She's-"
"Niles, she's only 5 minutes late. It's not the end of the world." Martin didn't understand why it was such an issue.
"Dad, Mel is punctual... to a fault." Niles managed to say between breaths. He'd disappeared beneath the table, head between his knees as Frasier awkwardly patted his back. "Her... being late... is akin to her... slashing my tires. It's... out of character... and unpredictable. Who knows what else... she'll do."
"Niles, it'll be okay. Stand strong, don't let her rattle you." Frasier did his best to encourage his brother, even though he was just as worried about Mel's lateness.

Martin looked out the window.

"I think I see her!"

Niles head popped back up and he took several more deep breaths.

"Go - quick, don't let her see you!"

Frasier clasped Niles' shoulder supportively before he and Martin went back to their table, out of sight at the rear of the café. Mel entered. Spotting Niles she sat down, removing the dark glasses she was wearing. Niles could see her eyes were red and puffy, as if she'd been crying. He felt guilty for the umpteenth time.

"Hello, Mel."
"Niles. So, here we are. Our four day anniversary."
"Mel, I'm sorry. I never meant to-"
"Hurt me? So you've said. If that was true, you wouldn't have left me for your maid whore, while we were in the middle of planning our honeymoon."

Niles winced at the way she referred to Daphne.

"She's not a whore. Or a maid. She's-"
"I don't care! She is the reason I'm here, married, but without a husband. I spent all last night trying to decide what I was going to do. How I was going to do it. And who I was going to do it to." She glared at Niles. "But, I realized that will solve nothing. Instead, I've decided that I want this to be as painless for myself as possible. I've got a certain image to uphold in my social circles. And I need you to play the part of loving husband until I think a suitable amount of time has passed, and we can safely divorce without scandal."

Niles blanched at the thought.

"Mel, I don't think I would be very good about lying about this. Besides, who would know if we have a quick, quiet divorce."
"My family. My friends. My co-workers."
"How? We've been married four days. We eloped, and didn't see or speak to anyone until the day after. The only people I told were Dad, Frasier and Daphne-"

Mel cut him off angrily.

"Don't say her name! Unlike you, I was expecting to be married for a lot longer than a weekend, so I told people."
"Mel, I-"
"No! I don't want to hear it! I want you to listen to me. If you ever cared about me, even a fraction, you'll shut up and listen."

Niles nodded, silent. Mel regained her composure, and continued.

"So, as I said, I have a certain standing in this city. I want to avoid any humiliation that having my husband of 72 hours left me for some British wench will cause. So you need to play the part of doting husband at a few events. Outside of that, I don't want to see or hear from you."

Niles nodded in acknowledgement. This was the least he could do for Mel, he supposed. A way of making amends for his callousness. Niles felt he couldn't help who he loved, but he did care about Mel, and even now he cared about her. But his love for Daphne was always something different. And Niles knew that he would have regretted it forever if he didn't take that chance. Even if it doesn't work out, it'll be worth it to have tried.

"That sounds reasonable enough, I guess."
"Good. I'm glad to hear that. Because we have a wedding reception tonight." She handed Niles a card with an invitation printed on it. Niles took it, upset.
"Tonight? I can't, I-"
"Tonight, Niles. 5pm. If you are not there, I will personally make sure I drag this divorce out longer than your divorce with Maris. And I think I know of a certain lawyer who might be quite happy to make sure things go very poorly for you."

Niles sighed, resigned.

"I'll see you tonight."

Niles, Frasier and Martin were still out by the time Daphne left. She left a note saying she'd be back in a few hours, but didn't say where she was going, unsure how to word that in a note.

Much better to mention it in person.

She arrived at Donny's, and a familiar man was waiting outside.

"Hi, Sean."
"Daphne." Sean greeted her, a little stiffly. He unlocked the door. "I'll just be hanging around while you collect your things, you understand."

Daphne nodded. They entered. Nothing had changed since the last time Daphne was here, but now she felt like an intruder. She realized this would be the last time she'd step foot in the apartment. Daphne glanced at Sean, who didn't seem to notice any of the emotions Daphne was currently going through.

"How long do we have? Until Donny comes home?"
"There's no rush, really. He's staying with his mother, and will be for the next two weeks."

That made sense. Donny was a consummate mama's boy, and they would have been going on their honeymoon for that two week period. Daphne was sure Mother Douglas was doting on her heartbroken baby as they spoke. Though Daphne wasn't sure why she felt a little bitter at the thought. Donny had every reason to want his mother's support during a bad breakup. But it also felt typical of the issues of their relationship. Daphne pushed aside the confusing feelings and started to collect her things. There wasn't a lot, so she was done relatively quickly. She also cleaned as she went, out of guilt. Sean noticed.

"You don't have to clean, you know."
"I know, but it makes me feel a little better to leave things in order for Donny."

Sean seemed to soften towards Daphne a bit.

"Look. While I don't agree how you went about it, I suppose I'm glad you didn't marry him because you felt like you had too. He deserves better than that."
"I don't think I'll ever forgive myself for how things ended between us. I should have ended it months ago."

There didn't seem to be much more to say or do. Daphne left the box of Donny's things on the dining table, and took hers. She handed back her copy of Donny's apartment key to Sean.

"Thank you, Sean. And if you can, please let Donny know I'm sorry, and I wish him all the best."

Sean nodded.

"I'll pass that along."

When she got back to her car, Daphne let herself cry for a bit. She grieved the relationship that was, and the one that could have been, before she gathered her emotions again. It felt good to let it out. Daphne didn't know if anyone would understand how she felt, given that she no longer loved Donny that way, but it seemed natural to her to mourn the end of this part of her life, especially now she officially closed the door on it.

She headed back home, wondering if the Crane men had returned yet.