"You still have a lot of gifts to open." He said, nodding at the pile of presents still left under the tree. As much as she loved receiving gifts, the thought of opening them all was daunting to say the least.

"But there are so many."

She was unaware that she'd spoken out loud until she felt his arms around her and his soft lips against her neck. "Somebody loves you." He whispered into her ear. "Someone named Kris. But he couldn't possibly love you more than I ."

She smiled and turned to find herself in his arms, rekindling the sweet kisses that had begun just moments before.

"I know it's not traditional…" She said when their lips parted. "But I think I'll wait to open these presents later."

Surprisingly his smile faded and he looked almost disappointed. "If that's what you want."
"I will open, them, I promise. But right now I want to spend time with the man I love."

She moved to kiss him but he drew back. "Thank you, Daphne. And I love you too, but will you do me one favor?"
"Of course, my darling." She said as her fingertips trailed across his smooth cheek. "I'll do anything for you."

He turned and reached into his coat pocket, producing a small box with a white ribbon. "Open this… please?"

She took the small box and slowly opened the ribbon. "Niles, another gift? You're spoiling-."
She stopped short, gazing at the object in her hand; a red velvet box which held a sparkling diamond ring. "Niles…what…"

He rose from the sofa and took her hand, slowly lowering himself to one knee. His handsome face was blurred by her tears and she could hardly keep her lip from trembling.

"Daphne, my angel, on this Christmas night filled with love and snowflakes all around us, will you marry me?"
"Oh Niles…"
He chuckled at her expression and squeezed her hand. "Is that a yes?"

"I don't know what to say…" She replied. "H-how could you possibly want to marry me? We only met last night!"

He brought her hand to his lips and sighed deeply. "Because I love you, Daphne. I love you with my whole heart. I've never met anyone so kind and sweet, loving and caring before. You're an angel, Daphne; an absolute angel and there's no one else on earth that I'd want to spend the rest of my life with."
She smiled through her tears, blissfully aware that he was brushing them away with his fingertips.

"I know it's sudden and I would never pressure you into anything so if you need time to think about it-."
She moved toward him, kissing him again and again, sweet passionate kisses that neither of them wanted to end. But when their lips parted he gazed into her eyes running his fingers through her hair. "So does that mean…"

"Yes! Yes, I will marry you, Niles Crane." She said tearfully before showering him with kisses once more. "I love you."
The kisses resumed as they fell against the back of the sofa and Daphne knew there was no possible way she could ever be happier than at that moment. And then she felt him take her hand and slide the beautiful ring onto her left ring finger, prompting her to kiss him once more.

Minutes later they were snuggled into each other's arms, gazing out the window at the falling snowflakes. "Would you like to watch a movie with me?" She asked, breaking the peaceful silence.

"That sounds wonderful, Daphne. What would you like to watch?"
"Well it is Christmas. How about It's a Wonderful Life?"

He held her so close that she could feel his heart beating against hers. "It certainly is a wonderful life, Daphne."
"Thank you, Thank you so much." She said softly when he kissed her cheek.
"You're welcome, my love."

She smiled and snuggled into his arms. Although she could never thank Niles enough, the words weren't meant for him, but for the man who had forgiven her and made her dreams come true; Kris Kringle. He and Niles had outdone themselves by giving her so many gifts, more than she could possibly use.

She looked over at Niles, smiling when she noticed that he had fallen asleep in her arms, and she covered them both with her new blanket, sighing at the warmth while she watched the snow gently falling outside of her window. She hoped that someday she could convince him that she didn't need lavish gifts to make her happy.

She had everything she ever wanted right here; Love and Snowflakes.

THE END