They kissed a few more times, but she slowly drew back.

"What's wrong, my love?"

"I'm… Oh, this is terrible!"

"Daphne, what are you talking about?"

"I'm too tired to kiss you, Niles! I love you so much, but-."

"Come my love, let's get you into bed."

"But Niles-."

He took her hand. "No buts. Now come with me. Doctor's orders."

She laughed at his comment and dutifully rose from the sofa. Together they walked up the stairs and she was grateful that he took the same care in getting her up the stairs as he had with David, keeping his arm firmly around her waist to make sure that she didn't lose her balance and fall.

He led her down the hallway, but they paused when they reached David's room. The sight made her cry yet again.

"Oh Niles… Isn't that sweet?"

Their loving son was laying on the floor sound asleep; surrounded by the things he'd gotten at the zoo. In his hand was the plush panda that he'd fallen in love with the moment they walked into the zoo gift shop. Daphne purchased it immediately; touched by the way he held the panda close to him as though trying to protect it from harm.

She felt Niles' arms wrap around her from behind. "See, it looks like you're not the only one who is exhausted."

Together they walked quietly into David's room. But as she leaned to pick David up to put him into bed, she found that she didn't have the heart to wake him up. And so she knelt on the floor and leaned to kiss his cheek. "Mum and Daddy love you very much, Sweetheart." She whispered. "And I want to thank you for letting me take you to the zoo. I had a wonderful time."

She turned around, smiling at her husband who was holding David's small pillow and blanket adorned with Snoopy sleeping on top of his red doghouse. Perhaps he was psychic after all. She placed the pillow gently under David's head and covered him with the blanket, giving him one last kiss on the cheek. "Goodnight sweetheart."

They quietly left the room and closed the door before heading down the hallway to their bedroom. When they reached the bed, Niles removed her shoes and helped her climb into bed. She could barely keep her eyes open, but she smiled at him. "I'm sorry I got so emotional earlier, Darling."

Niles smiled. "Actually, I'm glad that you did."

"What? Niles…"

"If you hadn't gotten so upset, I would have never known how exhausted you've been. I'm sorry, Daphne. I wish you had told me sooner."

"I know and I'm sorry. I just wanted to make you happy."

"You have made me happy every second we've been together, even before we fell in love."

She smiled and kissed him deeply. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, my angel. Now get some rest."

She closed her eyes and turned onto her side as Niles tucked her in. "David certainly liked those butterflies, didn't he?"

"Yes, he did." Niles agreed.

"I have to admit that they were quite beautiful; all the different colors and the way they fluttered about so gracefully. I guess David was right."

Niles' eyebrows rose. "Hmm... I don't think so."

"Those butterflies might have been pretty; beautiful even. But there's nothing in this world that is more beautiful than you."

A sob escaped and she hugged her husband tightly. "Words can't express how much I love you, Niles Crane. I love you so much."

Their kisses turned passionate until she was so tired that she could no longer lift her head from the pillow. She sensed the room darkening, as Niles must have turned off the lamp; and the feeling of his lips on hers was so familiar and oh so wonderful.

Soon she was in a deep sleep. And in her dreams she was the happiest that she'd ever been. But she knew that when she woke, her dream would become reality; the way it always had been; and the way it would always be.

THE END