Chapter 8

Niles had no idea how he was going to tell Daphne. After Mel left, he filled Frasier and Martin in on what had transpired. They both seemed to think that it was best to play along, if it made things easier for him, but Niles didn't want to. He wanted to put this part of his life behind him as quickly as possible. Besides, the more Niles thought about it, the more it seemed like Mel's plan was flawed. If she wanted to minimize embarrassment, why would prolonging the inevitable help that? More and more people were going to know they were married, and therefore more people would know when they did divorce.

In any case, he had agreed to go to the reception that night. Frasier and Martin were invited. Daphne wasn't, for obvious reasons. No one else from Niles' side was invited as far as he knew, and he intended to keep it that way. Mel could parade their now sham marriage in front of her friends and family, but as far as anyone who knew Niles was concerned, there was no marriage to see.

Frasier took the three of them out for lunch to try and take Niles mind off things. It didn't help much. He felt stuck. Niles was able to move the reservations he'd made for his date with Daphne back a day, but it still felt like he was already breaking a promise. When they got back to Frasier's apartment, Daphne was out. There was a note saying she would be out for a couple of hours, but back by about 3pm. That didn't give Niles a lot of time to speak to Daphne, and go home to get ready for tonight. Mel would be mad if he was late, but what could he do. Speaking to Daphne came first for him, regardless of what petty thing Mel would do to punish him.

Daphne arrived back shortly before 3pm. She was holding a box when she entered, and looked like she might have been crying at one point.

"Oh, hello, Niles." She smiled, pleased to see him. Niles thought he'd never tire of seeing Daphne smile at him like that. "How did your meeting with Mel go?"

Straight to the point.

"Oh, about as well as you can imagine." Niles looked at the box Daphne was holding. "What's that?"

She glanced down, looking a little glum.

"I had to go and collect my things from Donny's place. I also took over the things he had left here."

Niles couldn't help the slight hint of jealousy he felt towards Donny - it had been second nature the last year or so. But it quickly dissipated. Daphne had chosen him, after all. Still, old habits die hard, and that bite of jealousy whenever he heard Donny's name would probably still linger for a while longer.

"How is Donny doing?"
"I'm not sure. He wasn't there. His friend was asked to let me collect my things."

The fact Donny wasn't there made Niles feel a little better, though he didn't like how something had obviously upset Daphne.

"Are you okay? You look like you were crying."

Daphne nodded.

"Yes, it was a little emotional, just because of how everything ended, but I'm okay." She smiled. "Tell me about how your meeting with Mel went."

Niles sighed.

"Well... Let's sit down."

Daphne put the box she was holding down and sat on the couch next to Niles.

"What's wrong? I don't like how this is going already."
"Mel... was upset. She doesn't want to have to deal with the embarrassment of having been left so soon after being married. She... wants us to pretend we're happily married for a few weeks to keep up appearances for her social circle."

Daphne stared at Niles, not believing what she was hearing.

"So, what does that mean?"
"Well, I have to go to a couple of social events. As her husband." Niles grimaced. "I don't like it either. I figured I'll play along for now."

Daphne shook her head. This situation was suddenly seeming complicated and messy. Even though she knew Niles wanted to be with her, Daphne didn't like the growing feeling that she was the other woman in the relationship.

"Okay... Well, we still have dinner tonight." She noticed Niles' face at that. "What?"
"One of the social events I have to go to is tonight. Apparently Mel has some friends throwing a last minute wedding reception for us."
"Oh." Daphne's face fell. She was already being placed second to his wife.
"It's only tonight. I've moved our reservations for everything to tomorrow. We'll still have our date."

Daphne nodded, still upset. Niles noticed.

"I'm sorry, Daphne. I would much rather prefer to be spending my evening with you. But we have tomorrow. And the rest of our lives."
"I know. I just..." Daphne wasn't sure what to say.

I want you all to myself? I want you to prioritize me? I want you to make me feel important?

It felt petty. After all, she's the one who ran off with a married man. Mel should have priority, she's the one who was legally Niles' wife. But that fact didn't help much in the moment. Daphne was hurt. And Niles looked upset. Daphne believed him when he said he'd rather be with her. He had proven that multiple times over the years. But Daphne still felt jealous and hurt.

"I'll be okay, Niles. Really." She gave a smile that she hoped was reassuring.

It seemed to work. Niles leaned forward and they kissed, just as Frasier and Martin exited from their rooms back into the living room. They broke apart, but not as quickly or nervously as they had that morning.

"Niles, you better get going if you're going to make it on time. You said Mel was going to make things difficult if you were late." Frasier looked at his watch.

Niles sighed.

"Right. I might have time to head home and change first. I'll see you and Dad there." He looked at Daphne. "I'll see you tomorrow, Daphne. I'll... make this up to you then, I promise. I love you."
"I love you, too."

Niles left shortly after. Daphne headed to her room, unsure what to do with her evening now.

Niles arrived at the Equestrian Centre just before 5pm. He entered, looking around nervously for Mel. She was over near the bar, talking to a couple of guests who had arrived early. Mel spotted him, and waved him over, looking pleased to see him. Niles realized he should look the same.

Tonight is going to be long and hellish...

"Oh, Niles, I'd like you to meet Peter and Annette Devereux. They're on the Equestrian Club board, and stable three past Breeders Cup champions."
"Niles. Nice to finally put a face to the name." Peter shook Niles' hand.
"Oh, Mel's mentioned me?"

Niles tried to remember if Mel had mentioned the Devereux's to him before, but couldn't recall.

"Oh yes. She's been raving about you for months." Annette smiled. "We would have loved to have you both over for drinks earlier, but we've been away in California. Peter has connections with a stud down there, we were negotiating a-"
"Annette, I'm sure we don't want to bore Niles with horse talk." Peter laughed.
"You're right. I'm much more interested in hearing about your elopement. How utterly romantic." Annette turned towards Mel and Niles expectantly.

Oh yes. Long and hellish for sure.

It wasn't long before other guests started arriving, and Niles found himself pulled around by Mel, meeting guest after guest. It became a blur, and Niles barely remembered half the faces or names. Everyone seemed to be acquainted with Mel through some club or society. No one that Niles knew personally at least, although they all seemed to have heard about him from Mel. It was no wonder that she was concerned about people finding out that she had been jilted less than three days into their marriage.

Niles felt like his face was going to break from smiling all night. He barely even got to speak to his family and Roz, who Mel had invited last minute. Mel kept him by her side all evening. Niles tried to get into the swing of things, to attempt to enjoy himself. After all, less than a week ago this wouldn't have been as much of a chore, but Niles kept thinking of Daphne. At that moment, all Niles wanted was to be with her. He felt slightly bitter about having to postpone their romantic night together, which made the evening all the harder.

Eventually, the party ended and people started to say their goodbyes and leave. Soon, Niles and Mel were mostly alone, and could talk a little more candidly. Niles handed Mel a glass of wine.

"Thank you, Niles."
"I hope that I played my part sufficiently for you this evening."

Mel looked at him.

"Quite. You put on an excellent performance. You'd almost believe that you actually loved me." There was a sadness in her voice and eyes, which hurt Niles.
"I do care about you, Mel."
"Don't patronize me." Her tone hardened, the emotion from earlier gone. "Peter and Annette want us over for dinner on Friday. Make sure you're available. 7pm."

Niles nodded. He wasn't looking forward to playing along any further, but the break in her façade and raw emotion in Mel's voice had Niles feeling guilty about how he hurt Mel again. And it was true. Even if he no longer loved Mel, he cared for her still. If this is what she needed to make the transition easier, then he would play along a bit longer.

Daphne had called Roz shortly after Frasier and Martin left, thinking they could do a girls night or something. But it turned out Roz had been roped into attending the wedding reception too. Daphne considered calling a couple of her other friends, but didn't feel in the mood. The appeal of hanging out with Roz was that she already knew Niles, Mel and their situation, and would happily commiserate with her over the unfairness of everything. With any of her other friends, Daphne would have to do too much explaining. What little they already knew was from her wedding... Failed disaster of a wedding wedding. Which was only yesterday morning.

It hit Daphne how quickly things had happened. No, she didn't feel up to explaining anything to anyone right now.

Instead, Daphne drew herself a nice, hot bath and borrowed Frasier's best bath salts and scented candles. Bringing a romance novel, and a bottle of white wine she knew Frasier wouldn't miss, she sunk into the hot water, and closed her eyes, luxuriating in the warmth as the water settled around her, totally submerged except for her face.

I needed this...

Daphne tried to relax and attempted to read her book but wasn't able to focus, rereading the same paragraph several times. Her mind kept thinking about Niles, and the party he was attending with Mel. A wedding reception. She wondered what Niles would be expected to do that evening. Probably small talk. Pose for a few photographs. Hold Mel's hand. Hug her. Kiss her...

This is a dangerous train of thought.

Daphne pushed it out of her mind, but the damage was done. The sting of jealousy hit her, accompanied by a heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach, which had become so familiar over the last couple of months whenever she saw Niles with Mel. Daphne sunk lower into the tub, adding more hot water. She wondered, not for the first time, if Niles felt the same hurt whenever he had seen her with Donny. Daphne remembered moments, in flashes. Niles' face just after his divorce in Café Nervosa when he saw her with Donny for the first time. His voice when she told him about her vision and that she couldn't marry Donny. The way he held her just after she accepted the proposal and she was thanking him. How he passed out at her engagement breakfast.

Yes. Niles did feel the same way whenever he saw me with Donny.

Daphne leaned out of the tub, and poured herself some wine. She wasn't sure she could be too mad at Niles for trying to appease Mel. It hurt Daphne knowing that they were playing happy couples currently, but Daphne knew it must have also hurt Mel to have Niles leave her. Would she have done the same for Donny, if the roles were reversed? If Donny wanted her to pretend to be a couple, or happily married for a little while, to ease the hurt. Daphne couldn't say for sure, but probably. Hell, she almost married him just to spare the hurt and hard conversations.

I'm sure I would have done the same for Donny.

Daphne stayed in the bath for as long she could, long after her fingers were pruney. She finished a good portion of the wine, and even managed to concentrate long enough to read some of her book. Eventually she got out, and dried off. Daphne suddenly felt very tired. She finished getting dressed for bed and hopped under the covers. Everything that had happened the last couple of days has caught up with her, and Daphne found herself drifting off almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Niles came over around midday. He basically confirmed to Daphne that the night before was as torturous as he thought it would be, and that their date was still going ahead. Daphne was excited. She'd woken up that morning in a much better frame of mind, and Niles confirming dinner that night only helped boost her mood further. All afternoon she was smiling to herself, and had butterflies in her stomach whenever she though of Niles. Daphne had bought herself a new dress that morning, and was excited to wear it. She spent a couple of hours getting ready, wanting to look as good as she could. Daphne looked at herself in the mirror once she was done.

I hope I'm good enough for him.

That small voice was back. Wondering if she was good enough for Niles. Daphne pushed it away again, with a well practiced ease. Ignoring intrusive thoughts was something she was good at. But it did leave her with some doubts. Niles was used to being with women who were a part of the same circles he travelled in. Where she...

No. I won't worry about that. I'm going to enjoy myself tonight.

Niles arrived just before 8pm, nervous and excited. They had a somewhat impromptu first date already, but something about tonight felt more real. More official somehow. Daphne greeted Niles, wearing a gorgeous multi-colored evening gown.

"Daphne, you look stunning."

And she did. To Niles, she could do no wrong. Everything she did, everything she was, he admired and loved. What had started as a crush, an intense attraction for Daphne, had grown over the years into love. Passionate, fully formed. Previously hidden within him, now Niles was able to let his adoration soar without fear. For years he had let his love for Daphne burn within him, at times threatening to consume him. Without being able to express this to Daphne herself, it was focused instead on Niles' image of her. Formed from pieces of the real thing, and Niles' desire filling in what was missing. Now, both his love and illusion were released and enveloped the two of them, blurring what was truth and what was fantasy. Niles didn't notice his blurred perspective. To him, they were one and the same.

Niles and Daphne left for the evening, arm in arm. Niles was riding a high he previously didn't know existed. Reaching his car, he opened the door for Daphne. She smiled as she sat down, and he shut the door behind her.

Ever the gentleman.

Daphne gazed at Niles as he drove them to the restaurant. Her feelings for him initially felt like they came out of nowhere, but Daphne eventually realized they had been there all along, lying dormant. Perhaps for years. She had suppressed them to protect herself from the hurt of considering something that for years was not possible. It wasn't until the revelation that Niles could consider Daphne as something more than a friend that the veil hiding how she truly felt was removed. But now Daphne knew her feelings were love, it was easy to see the signs that were there, hidden behind her friendship. The warmth and comfort from just being with Niles. How she was able to talk to him about anything. The unquestioning support for one another. Even though they came from such different backgrounds, a genuine friendship had grown between them. Maybe that was what true love was. Friendship, with a deep, unbreakable connection. Daphne was a romantic at heart, and she felt that what she has with Niles was potentially the real deal.

Niles noticed Daphne staring at him, and smiled back. They fell into easy conversation, as if nothing had changed between the two of them, but of course everything had changed. There was no longer any hesitation, any hiding from what they felt.

Dinner was one of the best Daphne had ever eaten. She had heard about so many of these restaurants at one time or another from Niles or Frasier, but she rarely had the opportunity to actually eat there, unless she was included in a family dinner, or a date had decided to take her there. Niles watched Daphne as they enjoyed dinner together, wondering how he got so lucky.

She's so beautiful. So perfect.

The two of them were a lot more relaxed together now. They have known each other for years, and had a date already, so any potential awkwardness was gone as they started to explore what this relationship could be. After dinner, they moved on to dancing. Niles had a smile plastered on his face all night. This was the kind of evening with Daphne he had envisioned many, many times. Niles had always thought he would reveal his feelings to her during a night like tonight. Whispered in her ear over dinner, or while dancing together. Niles knew that opportunity had slipped through his fingers multiple times, and the way Daphne did find out was something he couldn't change. But he could still say those words to her now, as if they were for the first time. They were dancing together, a slow waltz. Close together, they were completely relaxed in each other's arms.

"Daphne, I adore you." Niles whispered into her ear. He could feel her smile against his cheek. "I love you. I've loved you for years. You're the most beautiful, wonderful person I know."
"I love you too, Niles." Daphne whispered back into his ear, as they moved in rhythm to the slow tempo. "You've always been one of my closest, dearest friends. I'm so happy we are now something more than that."

That night was one of the closest to perfection Niles had ever had. It was almost everything he had always imagined a date with Daphne would have gone. He kept replaying the evening in his head. Long after he had dropped Daphne off and had kissed her tenderly, passionately goodnight. Long after he had returned home, and gotten into bed. There was a smile on his face that he couldn't remove. A memory that he would treasure forever. And the knowledge that this was just the beginning for them.