Trade Off
By Amy (amydekanter@yahoo.com)
"Are you sure you don't want to see a lawyer?" Roz asked. She had come with Daphne to wander through the aisles of Living Divine, list in hand. Daphne was grateful for the company.
"Not today." Daphne was also exhausted. In the space of two days more had happened than she could fit into two years. Had she been so idealistic as to think all would be over once they escaped the wedding?
She winced as she looked at the prices on the dinner set.
"How can one gravy boat be so expensive?"
"Well at least we got the cappuccino maker and waffle iron cleaned up like new." Roz whistled. "Check out the price on these babies."
Daphne did and shuddered at the close call. She wished the world to slow down just a little bit. Only yesterday she had stood in her wedding dress at her own perfect wedding and sent all the guests home. Dr. Frasier Crane was just starting to speak to her again while Mr. Crane was going overboard with unnaturally sweet gestures. Dr. Niles Crane, the man who was the brother of her boss and - just yesterday morning - an unreachable dream, was now meeting with his wife to discuss the divorce let him be with Daphne. And Daphne's ex-fiancé, the man who had been about to swear to love and cherish her forever had managed, in less than a day, to draw up papers to sue her for an amount he knew exceeded four years of her salary. She had some savings, but on top of everything else she was about to spend a huge part of that replacing wedding gifts her idiot brother had either damaged or destroyed.
"Well, that's everything here." Daphne said. Nearly two thousand dollars worth of everything. Trust Donny to have so many friends who were both grateful and generous. "I guess we'd better check out the electronics shop next."
"You know, you could send some of the stuff back as is." Roz said.
"No, I can't." The last thing she needed was more bad karma. "It's all right, Roz. In a way this feels like doing penance, like I'm starting to make things up to people."
"Honey, anyone with a brother like Simon has been doing penance since birth. Don't be so hard on yourself."
"I just feel that if I could only talk to Donny."
"No, Daphne, it stated clearly in his letter that he wants no contact with you, only with your lawyer. Oh, don't." Roz hugged her as Daphne started to cry. Again. She couldn't help it. She had thought it would be easier if Donny hated her for what she had done, but it wasn't. She didn't even care about the money. She just wanted to tell him she was sorry. That she still loved him would never forgive herself for hurting him so much.
"I'm sorry." Daphne couldn't get the tears under control. "I'm just tired. And I barely had a moment with Niles today before he was rushing off again to see Mel."
"Hey, you're not worried about that, are you?"
"No." Not so that she'd admit it, at any rate. It was just that she wanted him nearby. Yesterday was awful but bearable because he was close. Today, missing him was just one more thing she had to deal with.
"Because you don't have to," Roz was adamant. "Now he's got you there's no way he's letting you go. Come here, you look like hell," Roz helped Daphne wipe away the tears, then held the tissue to Daphne's nose. "Blow," she ordered. Daphne obeyed and almost smiled. Two years back Roz was certain she would never develop maternal instincts. Roz continued with her clucking. "And what's with those circles under your eyes? When is the last time you slept?"
"Er." Daphne could honestly not remember. Not last night. Nor the night before. Her head started spinning. The night before had been the night she'd spent with Niles, by the lake. It felt like a lifetime ago.
"Daphne?"
On nights before that she had slept a little but it was always a troubled sleep. Especially after Niles and Mel got married. Actually, she'd had difficulty sleeping since she'd found out Niles was in love with her. Or was it since she'd agreed to marry Donny, despite her visions of dragons and red bow ties?
"I don't know"," she said. Roz was looking at her with deepening concern. "But I want to get this done with. Today. So I don't have to think about it any more."
"Okay, okay. But you have to promise me you'll go to bed as soon as you get home."
"I can't." Daphne smiled suddenly. With emotions see-sawing from one extreme to the other it was always thoughts of Niles that reminded her why all this was worth it. "I have a date."
"I didn't say you had to go to bed alone.ow!" Daphne smacked Roz on the arm. "By the way, did you two have a chance to discuss the bed thing?"
"Yeah, he brought it up almost immediately. You know what I mean," she added as Roz's mouth opened for the predictable smart-ass retort. "As you said, he wants to wait."
"And you."
"Agreed. What else could I do? It's probably for the best, anyhow. Things are moving so fast it will be good to take at least one thing slow." Never mind that she would have preferred everything else to be put on hold and for that one thing to happen, well, now.
"Well, I think you're both nuts," Roz said. Daphne paid for the wedding gift replacements and they wheeled them out to the car park. "So, what are plans for tonight?"
"Oh, dinner and dancing somewhere posh. To tell the truth, I don't care. I just want us to have some time alone."
"Holding hands in the back seat? Ow! Will you stop that? There are more constructive ways to work off your sexual frustration!"
"Such as?"
"Have sex." Roz skipped out of the way of another well-aimed punch. "Oh, yeah, sorry. I forgot you two took an oath of stupidity."
Daphne finished loading up the car and stuck out her tongue at Roz as she slammed down the boot. Roz laughed and hooked her arm through Daphne's as they headed back towards the mall.
"Hey, I know what we should do," she told Daphne. "After all this return gift shopping, we should go dress shopping for your date tonight."
"Roz, that's a wonderful idea!" She'd already worn all her nice clothes for Niles back when he was Dr. Crane. She loved the idea of something special and new to wear on her first date with him now that he was just Niles. Her Niles.
"I'll tell you what else," Roz continued. "Since I got my gift before your brother could put his hands on it, we'll use the refund to get you some new shoes to match. This whole thing deserves a celebration as much as any old wedding."
"Thanks Roz." Daphne hugged her friend, already feeling much better. "I'm so glad to have you."
"Yeah, well, what are bridesmaids for?"
##
Niles had called Mel early this morning. Actually, he had had a long conversation with her answering machine, explaining that Daphne was not pregnant with his or anyone else's child, that he had made this choice because he loved her. He told the machine that he was truly sorry that Mel had to pay for his earlier serious lapse in judgment and said that if he could do anything to make it up to her, he would.
When Mel returned the call at Frasier's apartment, she seemed subdued. She told him that if he would meet her, they could talk about a divorce. Niles did not like leaving Daphne again so soon, especially since she had received that legal bombshell from Donny, but he would make it up to her. If this meeting resulted in a fixed date for his freedom, it would all be worth it.
Waiting at Café Nervosa, Niles had been in agony. All he knew was that this meeting could result in a way for him to finally be with the woman he loved. For that, he had been willing to agree to anything.
And now he had.
He heard someone call his name and noticed Frasier and Dad. They had seen Mel leave and were waiting for news.
"Ah, well, um, all things considered, not so bad," Niles said. He was still bewildered by the conversation. Frasier and Dad waited expectantly. "In exchange for a neat and tidy divorce, all I have to do is play the doting husband at some social functions for a few weeks."
"Oh, that doesn't sound so bad," Dad said encouragingly. Frasier looked as if he knew better.
"What kind of social functions?" Frasier asked.
"Well, uh, for instance, ah, tonight...is our wedding reception."
"Dear God!" Niles could hardly believe it either.
"Well, since we eloped, some of Mel's colleagues decided to throw a last minute get-together to toast our nuptials."
"Well, after Donny gets through with Frasier, you won't be the only one gettin' your nuptials toasted."
"Ha-ha," Frasier said bitterly.
"Of course, you refused."
"No," Niles wished they would stop talking for a moment. On the one hand, what Mel had suggested sounded almost reasonable at the time, but then, he'd been a desperate man. And why was there was this terrible heaviness in his heart? "I couldn't. It's not just because of the divorce. she'd been crying." For the first time Niles had felt truly awful for what he had done to Mel. None of this was her fault.
"Aren't we forgetting someone here?" Dad asked. "You still have to explain all of this to Daphne."
Niles had not forgotten Daphne. He had just not gotten as far as thinking how he would explain this to her. Surely she would understand. He just had to humour Mel for a while longer and then everyone would be happy. Yet there was that heaviness.
"Son, I know it must feel like you're stuck between a rock and a hard place..."
"Thank you, Dad, that's very helpful." Niles regretted his tone even before he saw his father's hurt expression. "I'm sorry. You're right and it's not something I want you to be right about. If it were only difficult for me, that would be one thing. I . I don't want Daphne to have to suffer."
"She'd suffer a lot less if you told Mel to go stuff it."
He didn't want Mel to suffer either. "But then who knows how long it would be before we could be together. Daphne has said before that she would never date a married man."
"She's already making an exception in your case."
"Yes," despite the bleakness of the situation Niles could not control the quick smile that took possession of his face for a moment. "But, the reasons why she didn't want to are still there. She mentioned it once when I was still with Maris. She said that 'other women' were destined for heartbreak but that that was the least of it. There was also the humiliation of being the one who waited, the one who could not be acknowledged, the one who was always left wondering."
"But Daphne won't be any of those."
"Dad, trust me on this, I don't want her to go through this at all. In exchange for my freedom to love Daphne fully I would gladly sacrifice a few weeks pretending to."
"Be in love with Mel."
Dad's words were like a blow to the chest. There was no question his father thought he was doing the wrong thing. That by agreeing to Mel's terms he was betraying Daphne. Niles could not bring himself to wonder if Dad may be right.
"Dad." Silent up to this point, it was now Frasier who was asking his father to take it easy on him.
"Okay, okay." Dad raised his hands in defeat. "So you're really going to this thing tonight."
"Yes and." Dad was really going to love this. "You have to be there too."
"Oh, great. The devil got three souls for the price of one." Frasier glared at Dad. "Okay, okay, I'll go." He stood up. "Come on, Niles. There is someone you need to talk to."
"Not yet," Niles stayed in his seat. "Can we just stay here. a while longer?"
Dad and Frasier stared at him and slowly sat back down. Niles knew exactly what they were thinking.
For the first time ever, Niles dreaded the thought of seeing Daphne.
##
Roz sat on the bed and watched as Daphne carefully unwrapped her beautiful new dress.
"Are you going to tell him about it?"
"No, I'll keep it a secret and surprise him with it tonight," Daphne hung it on the door, where they could both admire it. "Thanks again for the shoes, Roz."
"You are going to look so hot tonight. Just promise me that if you and Niles fall off the wagon I will be the first to hear about it."
"I promise." Daphne cared less about what would happen than about the fact that tonight they would finally be together. Their first date.
"Do you hear that? It sounds like your prince charming has returned."
Daphne heard. It was so silly, the way her heart sped up at the thought of Niles being here.
"Oh, my god, look at you," Roz took Daphne's hand and gave it a squeeze. "You're glowing."
Together they went out to the living room.
"Daphne." She loved the way Niles rose to his feet every time he saw her, as if he were floating. She wanted so much to kiss him hello, but once again there were a million people standing around. Never mind. They had tonight.
"Hello to you too, Niles," Roz said. He didn't even glance at her. Nor did Dr. or Mr. Crane. Everyone was looking at Daphne. "It's okay, I'll just let myself out. See you, Daphne. Have fun tonight."
"Bye, Roz."
"I'm outta here." Mr. Crane headed off to his room. With everyone leaving maybe she would get that proper hello after all. Daphne shot Mr. Crane a grateful look but he turned his head away. "Come on, Frasier."
"I'm just going to get a drink, Dad." Or maybe not. Niles, on the other hand, seemed relieved that Frasier was staying.
Niles held out his hand and Daphne took it. They sat down on the couch. Daphne could not stop looking at him any more than she could stop smiling. She had missed him so much.
"How did it go?"
"She's promised me a quick divorce."
"That's wonderful!" Daphne would have hugged him but this time it wasn't their audience that stopped her. It was the look on Niles' face. "Is that bad news?"
"No," he said quickly. "You know it's what I want. It's just that. in exchange, Mel set a couple of conditions." She could not imagine what conditions would make him and his brother look so serious. She tried to speak cheerfully.
"All right. Better let me have it."
"Mel is understandably hurt by all this," Niles began. Daphne nodded. Donny was hurt as well. "She seems prepared to take the blow to her heart and will readily give me the divorce. but she wants to avoid further scandal."
"So how does she propose doing that?" If only she could do the same for Donny.
"She's asked that we postpone telling people that we have split up. To wait a couple of weeks until the excitement over her sudden marriage wears off. Then we can do this quickly and quietly." Niles' expression was still far more grim than his words.
"So.what does that mean?"
"It only means that Mel and I will attend some social functions together, not breathing a word of our separation to anyone. In the eyes of society, we will still be married."
"And you agreed?" That sounded awful. Especially for Niles.
"Neither Mel nor I have any interest in any contact beyond that. Daphne. she knows you are the only one I want."
The way he said it left no room for doubt.
"Okay," She still wasn't sure she understood but she trusted Niles; if he felt this was all for the best, she was ready to give this a try. But first: "Explain to me again how you and Mel masquerading as husband and wife is a good thing?"
By Amy (amydekanter@yahoo.com)
"Are you sure you don't want to see a lawyer?" Roz asked. She had come with Daphne to wander through the aisles of Living Divine, list in hand. Daphne was grateful for the company.
"Not today." Daphne was also exhausted. In the space of two days more had happened than she could fit into two years. Had she been so idealistic as to think all would be over once they escaped the wedding?
She winced as she looked at the prices on the dinner set.
"How can one gravy boat be so expensive?"
"Well at least we got the cappuccino maker and waffle iron cleaned up like new." Roz whistled. "Check out the price on these babies."
Daphne did and shuddered at the close call. She wished the world to slow down just a little bit. Only yesterday she had stood in her wedding dress at her own perfect wedding and sent all the guests home. Dr. Frasier Crane was just starting to speak to her again while Mr. Crane was going overboard with unnaturally sweet gestures. Dr. Niles Crane, the man who was the brother of her boss and - just yesterday morning - an unreachable dream, was now meeting with his wife to discuss the divorce let him be with Daphne. And Daphne's ex-fiancé, the man who had been about to swear to love and cherish her forever had managed, in less than a day, to draw up papers to sue her for an amount he knew exceeded four years of her salary. She had some savings, but on top of everything else she was about to spend a huge part of that replacing wedding gifts her idiot brother had either damaged or destroyed.
"Well, that's everything here." Daphne said. Nearly two thousand dollars worth of everything. Trust Donny to have so many friends who were both grateful and generous. "I guess we'd better check out the electronics shop next."
"You know, you could send some of the stuff back as is." Roz said.
"No, I can't." The last thing she needed was more bad karma. "It's all right, Roz. In a way this feels like doing penance, like I'm starting to make things up to people."
"Honey, anyone with a brother like Simon has been doing penance since birth. Don't be so hard on yourself."
"I just feel that if I could only talk to Donny."
"No, Daphne, it stated clearly in his letter that he wants no contact with you, only with your lawyer. Oh, don't." Roz hugged her as Daphne started to cry. Again. She couldn't help it. She had thought it would be easier if Donny hated her for what she had done, but it wasn't. She didn't even care about the money. She just wanted to tell him she was sorry. That she still loved him would never forgive herself for hurting him so much.
"I'm sorry." Daphne couldn't get the tears under control. "I'm just tired. And I barely had a moment with Niles today before he was rushing off again to see Mel."
"Hey, you're not worried about that, are you?"
"No." Not so that she'd admit it, at any rate. It was just that she wanted him nearby. Yesterday was awful but bearable because he was close. Today, missing him was just one more thing she had to deal with.
"Because you don't have to," Roz was adamant. "Now he's got you there's no way he's letting you go. Come here, you look like hell," Roz helped Daphne wipe away the tears, then held the tissue to Daphne's nose. "Blow," she ordered. Daphne obeyed and almost smiled. Two years back Roz was certain she would never develop maternal instincts. Roz continued with her clucking. "And what's with those circles under your eyes? When is the last time you slept?"
"Er." Daphne could honestly not remember. Not last night. Nor the night before. Her head started spinning. The night before had been the night she'd spent with Niles, by the lake. It felt like a lifetime ago.
"Daphne?"
On nights before that she had slept a little but it was always a troubled sleep. Especially after Niles and Mel got married. Actually, she'd had difficulty sleeping since she'd found out Niles was in love with her. Or was it since she'd agreed to marry Donny, despite her visions of dragons and red bow ties?
"I don't know"," she said. Roz was looking at her with deepening concern. "But I want to get this done with. Today. So I don't have to think about it any more."
"Okay, okay. But you have to promise me you'll go to bed as soon as you get home."
"I can't." Daphne smiled suddenly. With emotions see-sawing from one extreme to the other it was always thoughts of Niles that reminded her why all this was worth it. "I have a date."
"I didn't say you had to go to bed alone.ow!" Daphne smacked Roz on the arm. "By the way, did you two have a chance to discuss the bed thing?"
"Yeah, he brought it up almost immediately. You know what I mean," she added as Roz's mouth opened for the predictable smart-ass retort. "As you said, he wants to wait."
"And you."
"Agreed. What else could I do? It's probably for the best, anyhow. Things are moving so fast it will be good to take at least one thing slow." Never mind that she would have preferred everything else to be put on hold and for that one thing to happen, well, now.
"Well, I think you're both nuts," Roz said. Daphne paid for the wedding gift replacements and they wheeled them out to the car park. "So, what are plans for tonight?"
"Oh, dinner and dancing somewhere posh. To tell the truth, I don't care. I just want us to have some time alone."
"Holding hands in the back seat? Ow! Will you stop that? There are more constructive ways to work off your sexual frustration!"
"Such as?"
"Have sex." Roz skipped out of the way of another well-aimed punch. "Oh, yeah, sorry. I forgot you two took an oath of stupidity."
Daphne finished loading up the car and stuck out her tongue at Roz as she slammed down the boot. Roz laughed and hooked her arm through Daphne's as they headed back towards the mall.
"Hey, I know what we should do," she told Daphne. "After all this return gift shopping, we should go dress shopping for your date tonight."
"Roz, that's a wonderful idea!" She'd already worn all her nice clothes for Niles back when he was Dr. Crane. She loved the idea of something special and new to wear on her first date with him now that he was just Niles. Her Niles.
"I'll tell you what else," Roz continued. "Since I got my gift before your brother could put his hands on it, we'll use the refund to get you some new shoes to match. This whole thing deserves a celebration as much as any old wedding."
"Thanks Roz." Daphne hugged her friend, already feeling much better. "I'm so glad to have you."
"Yeah, well, what are bridesmaids for?"
##
Niles had called Mel early this morning. Actually, he had had a long conversation with her answering machine, explaining that Daphne was not pregnant with his or anyone else's child, that he had made this choice because he loved her. He told the machine that he was truly sorry that Mel had to pay for his earlier serious lapse in judgment and said that if he could do anything to make it up to her, he would.
When Mel returned the call at Frasier's apartment, she seemed subdued. She told him that if he would meet her, they could talk about a divorce. Niles did not like leaving Daphne again so soon, especially since she had received that legal bombshell from Donny, but he would make it up to her. If this meeting resulted in a fixed date for his freedom, it would all be worth it.
Waiting at Café Nervosa, Niles had been in agony. All he knew was that this meeting could result in a way for him to finally be with the woman he loved. For that, he had been willing to agree to anything.
And now he had.
He heard someone call his name and noticed Frasier and Dad. They had seen Mel leave and were waiting for news.
"Ah, well, um, all things considered, not so bad," Niles said. He was still bewildered by the conversation. Frasier and Dad waited expectantly. "In exchange for a neat and tidy divorce, all I have to do is play the doting husband at some social functions for a few weeks."
"Oh, that doesn't sound so bad," Dad said encouragingly. Frasier looked as if he knew better.
"What kind of social functions?" Frasier asked.
"Well, uh, for instance, ah, tonight...is our wedding reception."
"Dear God!" Niles could hardly believe it either.
"Well, since we eloped, some of Mel's colleagues decided to throw a last minute get-together to toast our nuptials."
"Well, after Donny gets through with Frasier, you won't be the only one gettin' your nuptials toasted."
"Ha-ha," Frasier said bitterly.
"Of course, you refused."
"No," Niles wished they would stop talking for a moment. On the one hand, what Mel had suggested sounded almost reasonable at the time, but then, he'd been a desperate man. And why was there was this terrible heaviness in his heart? "I couldn't. It's not just because of the divorce. she'd been crying." For the first time Niles had felt truly awful for what he had done to Mel. None of this was her fault.
"Aren't we forgetting someone here?" Dad asked. "You still have to explain all of this to Daphne."
Niles had not forgotten Daphne. He had just not gotten as far as thinking how he would explain this to her. Surely she would understand. He just had to humour Mel for a while longer and then everyone would be happy. Yet there was that heaviness.
"Son, I know it must feel like you're stuck between a rock and a hard place..."
"Thank you, Dad, that's very helpful." Niles regretted his tone even before he saw his father's hurt expression. "I'm sorry. You're right and it's not something I want you to be right about. If it were only difficult for me, that would be one thing. I . I don't want Daphne to have to suffer."
"She'd suffer a lot less if you told Mel to go stuff it."
He didn't want Mel to suffer either. "But then who knows how long it would be before we could be together. Daphne has said before that she would never date a married man."
"She's already making an exception in your case."
"Yes," despite the bleakness of the situation Niles could not control the quick smile that took possession of his face for a moment. "But, the reasons why she didn't want to are still there. She mentioned it once when I was still with Maris. She said that 'other women' were destined for heartbreak but that that was the least of it. There was also the humiliation of being the one who waited, the one who could not be acknowledged, the one who was always left wondering."
"But Daphne won't be any of those."
"Dad, trust me on this, I don't want her to go through this at all. In exchange for my freedom to love Daphne fully I would gladly sacrifice a few weeks pretending to."
"Be in love with Mel."
Dad's words were like a blow to the chest. There was no question his father thought he was doing the wrong thing. That by agreeing to Mel's terms he was betraying Daphne. Niles could not bring himself to wonder if Dad may be right.
"Dad." Silent up to this point, it was now Frasier who was asking his father to take it easy on him.
"Okay, okay." Dad raised his hands in defeat. "So you're really going to this thing tonight."
"Yes and." Dad was really going to love this. "You have to be there too."
"Oh, great. The devil got three souls for the price of one." Frasier glared at Dad. "Okay, okay, I'll go." He stood up. "Come on, Niles. There is someone you need to talk to."
"Not yet," Niles stayed in his seat. "Can we just stay here. a while longer?"
Dad and Frasier stared at him and slowly sat back down. Niles knew exactly what they were thinking.
For the first time ever, Niles dreaded the thought of seeing Daphne.
##
Roz sat on the bed and watched as Daphne carefully unwrapped her beautiful new dress.
"Are you going to tell him about it?"
"No, I'll keep it a secret and surprise him with it tonight," Daphne hung it on the door, where they could both admire it. "Thanks again for the shoes, Roz."
"You are going to look so hot tonight. Just promise me that if you and Niles fall off the wagon I will be the first to hear about it."
"I promise." Daphne cared less about what would happen than about the fact that tonight they would finally be together. Their first date.
"Do you hear that? It sounds like your prince charming has returned."
Daphne heard. It was so silly, the way her heart sped up at the thought of Niles being here.
"Oh, my god, look at you," Roz took Daphne's hand and gave it a squeeze. "You're glowing."
Together they went out to the living room.
"Daphne." She loved the way Niles rose to his feet every time he saw her, as if he were floating. She wanted so much to kiss him hello, but once again there were a million people standing around. Never mind. They had tonight.
"Hello to you too, Niles," Roz said. He didn't even glance at her. Nor did Dr. or Mr. Crane. Everyone was looking at Daphne. "It's okay, I'll just let myself out. See you, Daphne. Have fun tonight."
"Bye, Roz."
"I'm outta here." Mr. Crane headed off to his room. With everyone leaving maybe she would get that proper hello after all. Daphne shot Mr. Crane a grateful look but he turned his head away. "Come on, Frasier."
"I'm just going to get a drink, Dad." Or maybe not. Niles, on the other hand, seemed relieved that Frasier was staying.
Niles held out his hand and Daphne took it. They sat down on the couch. Daphne could not stop looking at him any more than she could stop smiling. She had missed him so much.
"How did it go?"
"She's promised me a quick divorce."
"That's wonderful!" Daphne would have hugged him but this time it wasn't their audience that stopped her. It was the look on Niles' face. "Is that bad news?"
"No," he said quickly. "You know it's what I want. It's just that. in exchange, Mel set a couple of conditions." She could not imagine what conditions would make him and his brother look so serious. She tried to speak cheerfully.
"All right. Better let me have it."
"Mel is understandably hurt by all this," Niles began. Daphne nodded. Donny was hurt as well. "She seems prepared to take the blow to her heart and will readily give me the divorce. but she wants to avoid further scandal."
"So how does she propose doing that?" If only she could do the same for Donny.
"She's asked that we postpone telling people that we have split up. To wait a couple of weeks until the excitement over her sudden marriage wears off. Then we can do this quickly and quietly." Niles' expression was still far more grim than his words.
"So.what does that mean?"
"It only means that Mel and I will attend some social functions together, not breathing a word of our separation to anyone. In the eyes of society, we will still be married."
"And you agreed?" That sounded awful. Especially for Niles.
"Neither Mel nor I have any interest in any contact beyond that. Daphne. she knows you are the only one I want."
The way he said it left no room for doubt.
"Okay," She still wasn't sure she understood but she trusted Niles; if he felt this was all for the best, she was ready to give this a try. But first: "Explain to me again how you and Mel masquerading as husband and wife is a good thing?"
