The kitchen was eerily silent as everyone looked at each other in shock.
"What was that all about?" Ronee asked.

Frasier glanced worriedly at his little brother.

"Dear God Niles, I am sorry. I was just trying to add a little humor to the situation and-."

Niles smiled and patted his older brother's back. "It's all right."

Frasier rose from his chair. "I'll go and talk to her."

"No, Frasier. I'll go."

Niles tightened the belt on his robe and walked out of the cabin, wincing at the cold air. Almost as an afterthought, he returned and grabbed a plaid blanket from the sofa before heading out again.

"Daphne!"

His eyes searched the porch and the front yard for the woman he loved, but when he found no sign of her, panic set in.

"Daphne!" he yelled louder.

Just as he was about to call for help, he spotted her sitting on an old wooden bench, causing his heart to race even faster.

He moved closer; stopping suddenly when he noticed that she was sobbing into her hands; shivering from the cold.

The sight was enough to break his heart in two.

In one fluid motion he went to her, draping the blanket around her shoulders.

"Thank you." She said in a barely audible voice.

He smiled and sat down beside her; his heart aching at the sight of her tear-streaked face.

"What's wrong, my love?"

Her lower lip trembled, prompting him to caress her cheek.

"Oh Niles..." She sobbed, falling against his chest.

"My angel, what's happened?"

"I look awful!" she cried. "I'm bloated, overweight and completely unattractive!"

Niles sighed deeply, suddenly angry at his brother for making Daphne feel this way.

"Daphne, I'm so sorry. Frasier would never say anything to hurt you. He was just trying to be funny. Of course it's not funny now. I can't stand to see you this upset. It tears at my heart. You're none of those things you mentioned."

She raised her head and glanced at her body. "Look at me! I'm as big as a house!"

When she began to sob again, he took her in his arms and rubbed her back; his chest hurting at the pain in her eyes.

"Shhh... It's all right. I love you, and I will always love you, no matter-."

She cried even more, prompting him to draw her closer. "Oh Daphne, please don't cry."

"But those nightmares... they were so real!"

He stared at her; the smile on his face replaced with concern. "What nightmares?"

"The ones I had all last night! Oh Niles, they were awful! I was so scared!"

"My angel, what happened?"

"Well I was married to your brother and I was so big that I couldn't fit through the door! And when he told me you were dead, I realized that I never had a chance to tell you how much I loved you."

He sighed and kissed her cheek, wishing he could calm her. "Shhh... It's all right."

But she trembled beneath his touch. "A-and then you brought all these women over... models really and you told me that because of me size you didn't' find me attractive anymore!"

Niles pulled her so close that he could feel her heart beating along with his.

"Daphne, nothing could be further than the truth. I will always love you, no matter what your size, but especially the way you are now."

Slowly she drew back and looked into his sea blue eyes. "Y-you do?"

"Of course. You're carrying our child and I can't tell you how happy that makes me; how long I've dreamed of creating a new life with you."

Daphne touched his cheek and then kissed him deeply. "I love you, Niles."

"And I love you, my angel."