Sundae Strolls and Ice Cream Headaches

Justice of the Peace (of Mind)

"I don't find any of this bloody amusing and neither should you."

"Daphne," Niles began. "The woman you saw me with in Nervosa…"

"The Honorable Steven R. Wilson now residing. All rise," the bailiff unknowingly interrupted Niles.

The courtroom all stood.

"You may be seated," the judge ordered.

"The woman…" Niles tried again.

"Hush!" Daphne scolded.

"Will the defendant please rise," the judge ordered.

The defendant did has he was ordered.

"Curtis Payton Reed, the jury finds you guilty."

The courtroom exploded in a wide array of emotions. From the elated screams of Daphne on the prosecution side, to the pained screams of the defendant's pregnant girlfriend who now would be forced to be a single mother raising their child on her own.

Courting Daphne

Momentarily forgetting her anger towards him and in the midst of her relief and elation, Daphne turned and hugged the not expecting Niles.

Breaking from the hug, "Does this mean you're no longer mad at me?"

"It depends," she replied back, both curtly and coldly. "On who that woman was you were holding hands with in Nervosa."

"That was Maris, my ex-wife. "

"Oh Niles, I feel so foolish. I feel…"

"Forget about her," he instructed. "Now, close your eyes and just think about us and our future life together. Are they closed?"

"Yes."

Niles, now on bent knee, reached into his pocket and held up her ring. "Open your eyes."

She did as asked.

With choked back tears he requested once more, "Daphne Moon, will you please do me the honor of marrying me?"

Sundae Strolls and Ice Cream Headaches

Niles had his arm linked with Daphne's as they made their weekly (as Niles cleverly liked to call them since they took place on Sundays) 'Sundae' afternoon stroll through Seattle Gasworks Park.

Uncharacteristically, the sun was out and there was hardly a cloud in the sky. A gusty wind blew through the trees and whistled through their hair.

"Even though me Mum would be appalled if we didn't have the ceremony in a church, I think we should have the ceremony here, what do you think?"

Ever since he had lost his vision, Niles was more attuned to the sounds that surrounded him.

To his left was the water. He could hear the hushed tones of the waves lapping onshore and the sounds of quacking ducks could be heard. To his right was an open field. He could hear a group of children squealing nearby. Accompanying the squeals were the shouts of parents telling them to "let go" of their kites. Following their parent's instructions, the kids released their kites and the kites soared upward and lazily danced and bobbed in the afternoon sky and winds.

Niles' own mind started to drift, much like the kites he could no longer see. Or sadly, fly.

"That's it son, now just feed it a little more string."

Detecting his change in demeanor, and coupled with the fact that her question was still unanswered, Daphne commented.

"You're awfully quiet this afternoon, is something wrong?"

Shaking Niles from his remembrance, "I'm sorry. Did you say something?"

Deciding not to pry, knowing Niles would share with her when he was good and ready, and upon hearing the jingle of the bells, "I said, how about some ice cream?"

Niles smiled and Daphne led them to the small ice cream stand.

"I'd like one double chocolate and one…Niles?"

"Strawberry."

"And one strawberry."

After getting their cones Daphne led them over to an empty bench so they could sit while they enjoyed their ice creams.

Niles winced and rubbed his head.

"Niles? What is it? Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. Just an ice cream headache," he sniffed and placed his finger under his nose and was surprised to find blood coming out.

To be continued…