Daphne smiled as she and Niles entered his office. Mrs. Woodson returned the smile and rose from her chair at once, holding a sleeping David in her arms.
"Oh, hello Dr. Crane. Daphne. I didn't expect you back so soon. Did you get everything you needed?"
Daphne laughed. "Actually more than we needed! But since it's Christmas and David and Niles are worth it."
"I couldn't agree more." Niles said, kissing Daphne's cheek. "Except Daphne should know that she's the one who deserves the world."
"Niles…"
"May I?" Niles said to Mrs. Woodson.
"Oh of course. Just let me give him one last hug." Mrs. Woodson pressed her cheek against David's. "Good night, little angel." "There's my sweet boy." Niles said, taking the baby into his arms. Amazingly David never stirred as Niles took him into his arms and laid him against his chest. "Well, we should probably get home and get my buddy here to bed."
"You and Daphne look tired as well." Mrs. Woodson pointed out.
Niles kissed his secretary's cheek. "Thank you Mrs. Woodson for watching him. I hope he wasn't much trouble."
"No trouble at all. He was a perfect angel."
"He takes after his mother."
Niles' comments were almost too much and Daphne felt her cheeks burning with embarrassment. "Niles…"
"Well we'd better go. Have a nice night, Mrs. Woodson."
"I'll see you in the morning." Mrs. Woodson said.
"Actually why don't you take the day off?"
Daphne hugged Mrs. Woodson tightly. "Thank you again. And Niles is right. You should take the day off."
But Mrs. Woodson shook her head. "No, absolutely not. I'll be here in the morning, I promise."
"Well, all right. I'll see you then." Niles said.
"Thank you." Daphne said again.
"You don't have to keep thanking me. It was my pleasure. Now go home and get some rest. All of you."
"All right, let's get our son home." Niles said.
But as they walked out to the car, Daphne stopped and turned to him. "Niles, if you don't mind can we make one more stop?"
He looked at her in surprise. "Oh all right. Where would you like to go?"
She smiled. "It's on the way home. I'll tell you how to get there."
"Lead the way, my sweet."