"Well, this has been one interesting day."

Niles paused to smile at me as he headed to the bathroom for a shower. I was exhausted but utterly blissful and had wrapped myself in the bathrobe provided by the hotel. Through painstaking effort I'd undone the braid (snagging several hairs in pulling the pins out). My hair now hung in messy waves, but I was too tired to bother combing it out.

"Interesting's one way to put it," he answered with a grin. "I'm not sure which was my favorite part—your mother manhandling Dad, or Yvonne almost throwing Roz to the floor to catch the bouquet."

While Niles was showering, I listened to the wind in the pines just outside the window that overlooked the lake. The lonesome yet peaceful sound compelled me to step onto the balcony and take in the cool night. I was greeted by the sounds of the forest: not just the wind, but also the soft hoot of an owl, the faint sound of water lapping at the banks of the lake below, and sleepy frogs' chirps. The moon seemed close enough to touch.

"Lovely, isn't it?"

Niles' soft voice was in harmony with the quiet sounds and his movements were gentle, too, as he nestled against me. The evening surrounded us with a peace so profound that it was almost as tangible as the wind and water. It was a perfect moment.

Then, as suddenly as a flash of lightning, the image of another night spent on a balcony came to me. Not a memory, but a vision, whatever others might say.

That bittersweet night when we had confessed our love and experienced a kiss of pure rapture, until I had pushed him back and told him what we wanted was impossible. After one last impassioned plea, he had accepted my resolution and let me go, despite his shattered heart. That night we had both mourned our missed chances.

Overcome with emotion, I threw herself at him as I had then.

Niles reacted in the same way as all those years ago, staggering in surprise as I kissed him without reserve. I steadied him, and he relaxed into me, his hands traveling across my back. Wanting more, I teased his lips with my tongue until he parted them, and I turned the kiss into something that made us both giddy from pleasure. This time we did not have to hold back. Thus, we spent several blissful moments in each other's arms, never breaking the kiss as the brisk evening seemed to turn into a warm summer afternoon.

When we reluctantly pulled apart, Niles looked deeply into my eyes with a look of mingled love and passion. Our souls were entwined, and a beautiful future lay ahead of us.

We never denied that others had been hurt along the way and deeply regretted it, but Mel was right (how strange it was that Mel was the voice of wisdom this time). Love didn't play by any rules. It was an unstoppable force and fate had brought us together.

Niles nuzzled my hair and I sighed wistfully when I heard him breath in. He had always loved smelling my hair, even before I'd had any idea of the love he carried for me.

"Daphne, I adore you," he murmured.

"I adore you too, sweetheart," I answered breathlessly.

He whispered to me now, his breath warm on my ear. I laughed at what he said.

"I think you can call me 'Niles' now."

"Mm…all right, Niles," I answered playfully.

And we left the balcony…

Together.

The End

A/N: Can you tell I loved the balcony scene in SB/SB? Hee.

There is a "bonus scene" after this chapter that didn't fit into the narrative of the main story, but I wanted to share it.