It was mid-morning when Niles arrived at Café Nervosa, eager for his usual half-caf non-fat latte with the faintest hint of cinnamon. He certainly needed it after last night. The thought made him grin mischievously as he remembered the events of the previous evening.
Mel Karnofksy was the best thing that ever happened to him. Since his divorce from Maris, he was certain that he'd never find happiness again. And now that fate had proven him wrong, he wanted to hold onto that happiness for as long as he could.
As they left Frasier's party the evening before, he relished the fact that he had been able to show off the new woman in his life. He was proud of Mel. She was sophisticated, successful, beautiful, but most importantly, she loved him (or so he hoped). He wasn't sure if what he felt for her was love but it came close. The way his heart fluttered when he looked at her, felt her hand in his, her lips against his… he shivered at the memory that was quickly replaced by another kind of memory. One that wasn't so pleasant.
"That was quite a party, wasn't it?" He'd asked casually as they drove toward her home after leaving Frasier's party.
"You certainly were having a good time, Niles." Mel said, indicating that she wasn't happy. He shouldn't have been surprised, for she rarely enjoyed spending time with his family or his friends, preferring instead to spend time alone. It bothered him quite a bit, but as usual, he kept his opinions to himself. He took her hand and smiled.
"I'm sorry if we made you feel left out, Mel. It was just so-."
"Enlightening?" She finished, raising her brow.
"Well, yes, come to think of it." He said.
"Niles, I can't believe you didn't even bother introducing me to Mr. And Mrs. Samuels! What were you thinking?"
He swallowed hard, suddenly remembering how thrilled he'd been when he was approached by John and Deanna Samuels, two high-profile winemakers from the acclaimed Ross Winery in eastern Washington. He'd immediately struck up a conversation with the couple, eager to share his thoughts on their latest creation, a light chardonnay that was without a doubt the most heavenly liquid he'd ever tasted.
But now he realized his grave mistake, for Mel had been standing beside him the entire time and he'd not once bothered to acknowledge her presence to anyone. He cared about her deeply and wanted nothing more than to make amends. He didn't want to lose her. He couldn't. He'd already lost two women that he'd loved; one whom he'd pledged his love and fidelity to, only to have it thrown in his face. And the other…
He sighed deeply, thinking of Daphne, the woman that he knew he could not have, even though he had loved her for so many years. If only things had been different.
And so he turned to Mel and took her hand. "Darling, I'm so sorry, can you forgive me? I was insensitive and hurtful, but please know that my actions weren't deliberate."
To his relief she smiled. "All right, but as you know I'm not that quick to forgive. It will take some time to… get over this, Niles. I was deeply hurt that you shunned me."
He should have known this wouldn't be easy. But as he'd learned in the beginning of their relationship, there was always a way to make amends. And that night, he was certain that she had forgiven him, for he felt it in every touch and heard it in every sigh.
He woke that morning and reached for her hand, but his fingertips landed on a piece of paper, a note claiming that she'd gotten a call from the hospital and had to leave. But she promised to make it up to him. He chuckled, blushing as he reminisced about their blissful union when he'd gained her forgiveness. And what a wonderful night it was. He only hoped he would be able to return the favor soon.