For The Love of Daphne by Patrick Councilor

Niles woke up with the lady of his dreams curled up in the small free space of his hospital bed. As gentle as a leaf falling into a crystal clear stream, he placed his hand on the back of her head to caress her. He was so lucky to be loved by the one he loved so. He looked at his casted leg, wishing he hadn't had it to hinder the opportunities to stand with his beautiful wife holding hands or dance with her. He had dealt with many patients that survive major tragedies in their lives. There is a vicious pattern of promises these patients make to themselves on how to enjoy life more. Whether it is to do the things they've always wanted to do, miss doing, or the people they wanted to love more, the track record shows that most of these promises are cast aside then they become better. Niles would not cast this promise aside. This promise he just made to himself that there would not be an hour that went by that he would not let her know how much he loved her. She is, was and always will be his soul mate. He would always love her, but his promise was to always express that love. The opportunity to do so had almost slipped through his fingers in an event that he had no recollection of. The precious things in life can sometimes be snuffed out like a candle.

She lifted her head and opened her eyes to see him and she smiled. She crawled up and leaned over him for several minutes, just looking into his eyes. There were just a few inches away from their noses. She lingered there, counting her blessings twice, being so grateful for each and every passing second that she had to spend just staring into his blue eyes. Ever so slowly, she lowered her lips to his. He melted like a milk chocolate bar exposed on a hot summer sidewalk. "Have I told you how much I love you lately?" she asked.

"Yes, you have." He smiled. "And I love how your actions back your words up."

She smiled before kissing him again.

"I love you Daphne Moon and I think we should get married."

She sat up with wide eyes. "What?"

"I think we should get married right when I get out of the hospital."

"I… I…" she didn't know what to say.

Niles held up his hands defensively. "I'm just kidding. I know we're married."

She attacked him by tickling him.

He started to laugh and then called out in pain from his leg.

"I'm sorry Niles," she said sincerely.

"I'm okay. It's perfectly okay, my love. I had that one coming."

She smiled as she slowly moved in for another kiss. "I LOVE it when you call me 'my love'." Her lips touched his and sparks flew. It was truly amazing how their love has always remained strong.

"Hey, get a room you two," Martin suggested as he entered the room followed by Frasier.

Daphne sat up as Martin hugged Niles. "How do you feel son?"

"Under the circumstances, I feel like a million bucks."

Frasier gave him a hug. "It is so great seeing you two as one again."

Martin took a seat. "So you remember Daphne's your wife now?" He smiled excitedly.

Niles smirked at Daphne. "Yes Dad."

"And you know you have a son. You have a six month old son named David."

"Yes Dad, and when can I see David?"

"I'll bring him by today," Daphne said, "If that's okay."

"I don't think the staff will have a problem with it," Frasier said. "We'll run it by them on the way out."

"Hey where did all of those flowers come from," Niles referred to all of the bouquets about the room. "I hadn't noticed them before."

"Oh, from everyone," Frasier answered. "This one's from Roz, this one's from Dad and me, this one's from Charlotte and me, there are a few from your neighbors at The Montana…"

"Daphne, would you give us a moment to have a word with Niles?" Martin asked.

"No Dad. I've been through a lot. I need Daphne close." He smiled at her and she returned a playful smile. "Anything you want to talk about, you can talk about in front of her."

Frasier jumped in, "Niles, are you feeling up to talking about the accident? Because if you aren't, we don't need to talk about it. Only if you feel one hundred percent comfortable…"

"Frasier," Martin cut him off.

"Yeah Dad?"

"Shut your big bazoo." He gave Niles a nod. "I've been waiting to fire that one back at him." Then his face lost all expression. "Niles, what's the last thing you remember before waking up in the hospital?"

Niles thought for a moment. "I… I was in my office… I… I was working late. Then my cell phone rang. I picked it up from my inside coat pocket…"

Martin leaned forward. "And then."

"And then… I'm sorry. I don't know."

"It was a woman on the phone," Daphne tried to help by jump starting the conversation.

Frasier jumped in, "Daphne please. Niles needs to recall this on his own if we're going to get any accuracy to what took place."

Niles looked a little puzzled. "I'm not sure what you're looking for, but I assure you, I don't know what happened."

"Okay, so let's take you back to that night at your office," Martin said. "Your cell phone rings, you get it from your jacket…"

"Armani double breasted. Beautiful jacket," Niles added.

"Is that the gray one?" Frasier asked.

"You know, it is."

"Frasier!" Martin scolded. "A lady called. What was her name?"

"Ah…" Niles thought. "I… I'm not sure, Dad."

"It starts with a B… Beh…Beh…"

"Oh good God Dad, you make it sound like a sheep called Niles," Frasier snapped.

Niles gave Martin a strange look. Was this a word guessing game or was his father being serious?

"Becky," Daphne said, "He's trying to get you to say Becky."

Niles turned to Frasier for answers. "Frasier, what is this all about?"

"We're sorry to attack you like this when you're just recovering Niles, but you were in an accident involving someone else and there may be litigations involved, so the quicker you are able to recall the events of that evening, the better."

Niles looked over at Daphne with a puzzled look. "There was someone else in the accident? Are they alright?"

"She's in intensive care right now."

"I… I remember nothing."

"You were at work and someone named Becky called your cell just before midnight," Martin said. "That much we know."

Niles shook his head. "I can't recall."

Frasier motioned to his father. "This is not the way to go about this. Let's go Dad. Niles, we'll let you get your sleep."

"I'm sorry, I wish I could remember."

Martin stood and gave his son another hug. "You get your rest son."

As Martin and Frasier left the room, Daphne laid back down beside her husband on his hospital bed. Niles laid his head down, but had great concern for the other person who was in the accident.

Frasier and Martin stopped in the waiting room. "Perhaps when he is feeling better, I can help him with therapy to help him remember," Frasier commented.

Martin took Niles' cell out. "You work it on your end and I'll work from my end."

"What is that? Are you still using Niles' cell phone?"

"Shush," Martin had already dialed and was waiting for the reply. "Frank, Marty. I know this is a little unethical, but I'm going to need Becky's last name. I want to check on her status from time to time." He paused to listen. "Yeah, I know I could check on her status through you." He paused again. "Well, are you gonna give it to me or not? Thank you."

"Martin Crane, what are you up to?" Frasier said in a low tone.