"I hurt him, Daphne!" he nearly shouted, his voice pained. "I-I didn't mean to, but he started to cry and I couldn't understand why. I thought that maybe it was because he was afraid of being in a world so big and he was so small, but then Arlene said-."

Daphne blinked back tears of sympathy for her friend. She'd never seen him quite so upset before, even when he announced that his marriage was suffering. "What did she say?" she whispered.

He sighed deeply, his face filled with anxiety. "She said that I was bending his leg back! Dear God! I can't believe that I physically hurt a newborn child! How am I ever going to be a good father-or even a good person-if I can't even hold a baby without causing him or her physical harm?"

Overwhelmed with compassion for him, she took his hand and stroked his palm softly with her thumb. "Oh, Dr. Crane I know it was unintentional. Babies are fragile! A little too fragile if you ask me!" She blinked back tears once more, trying to dissolve the memory of holding Elizabeth. She had barely met the little girl and she loved her with all of her heart. But thinking about that moment reminded her of her own uncertain future. And she was surprised at how much it hurt.

He was staring at her now, intrigued by her statement. And then he smiled. "Thank you, Daphne. That makes me feel better. And you're right. Babies are fragile. But can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"You never told me what you were doing here."

"Oh… me friend Sheryl just had a baby as well. I couldn't wait to see her for myself."

Niles' eyes lit up, making him even more handsome. "Ah…. Boy or girl?"

Daphne smiled, staring into the window and then gasped in delight as she pointed to a baby wrapped in a pink blanket. "A girl. Oh look! There she is! Front row, second from the left. Isn't she sweet? Look at her little hands!"

"She's beautiful." Niles said. "What's her name?"

"Elizabeth. Sheryl named her daughter after me Grammy Moon. When she told me, I just couldn't believe it. I-." she swallowed hard as the beautiful babies blurred before her eyes.

"Daphne, are you all right?"

"I-I don't know what you mean." She lied.

"You're crying."

"Oh… I didn't even notice." She lied again, brushing the tears from her cheeks. But she knew that he wasn't fooled, by the way he reached into his pocket and removed his handkerchief, handing it to her in what was the most thoughtful gesture she could have imagined. "Thank you." She said, blotting her eyes with the soft cloth.

"Daphne, what's wrong? I didn't mean to upset you."

"You didn't. I guess seeing Sheryl with Elizabeth reminded me that I'm getting older. And at this rate, I might never become a mother." She tried to push the thought from her mind, but it settled itself in her heart, bringing more tears and she could no longer look Niles in the eyes. "I'm sorry…"

The unexpected embrace was welcome and she leaned against him and closed her eyes as he ran his hand up and down her back.

"You'll be a wonderful mother someday, Daphne." He said softly. "I have no doubt about that. You're kind, caring, and the most wonderful, compassionate person I've ever met. It will happen someday. I promise."

She smiled and squeezed him gently, resisting the strong urge to kiss his lips. "Thank you, Dr. Crane. And you'll make a wonderful father."

He drew back and stared at her in surprise. "You really think so?"

Now she had no choice but to kiss his cheek. "Any child would be lucky to have you for a father."

His cheeks flushed, making him even more handsome and he grinned like a little boy. "Thank you, Daphne."

They stood in silence once again, looking through the window at the sweet little babies. But then he surprised her a second time. "Daphne, what would you name him or her… if you had a child?"

Daphne thought for a moment, intrigued by the question. "I've always liked the name David for a boy. But for a girl, I'm not quite sure."

He smiled at her answer. "David is a great name. I hope you have a son someday, Daphne."

"I hope you do too, Dr. Crane."

Silence fell between them yet again and they turned toward the window to resume looking at the rows of babies on the other side of the glass. And suddenly it seemed only natural to slip her hand into his and lean her head against his shoulder. Two friends pondering their futures.

THE END