(Niles POV)
Never in his lifetime had Niles experienced such ecstasy. It was the most relaxing, most incredible feeling imaginable. And to think that a woman could do such things with such small and delicate hands was incredible. But he didn't want to question it. Instead, he simply enjoyed this euphoric moment, feeling as though he'd died and gone to heaven.
He moaned with pleasure, wondering if other men had experienced this realm of happiness. Somehow he doubted it. He and Daphne had become closer than ever and he liked to think that she would be gentler with him than she would with men she knew only casually. But he had a feeling that those men found her just as angelic and lovely as he did.
His head lay against the wooden dining table as Daphne's hands worked wonders on his aching back; kneading, massaging in a gentle rhythm. It was the best back massage he had ever had.
He'd arrived at his brother's condo only forty-five minutes before, barely able to walk. It was a miracle that he'd even been able to drive from Sea-Tac Airport, given the excruciating pain he was in. What was he thinking, not hiring a skycap?
Determined to be a good husband, he'd unloaded her excessive amount of luggage from the car and put it on the sidewalk. This turned out to be a major disaster as she reminded him for the hundredth time in their marriage that she couldn't possibly lift even the smallest bag for fear of her back snapping like a twig. And so he drove his car across the street to the crowded parking garage that looked like a giant spiral, miraculously finding a parking place on the top level. From there it was a race against time, hurrying to return to the street level where she was waiting, albeit furiously.
As calmly as possible, he took her bags and carried them one by one into the airport, even standing in the security line with her until she reached the point where un-ticketed passengers were forbidden. He moved to kiss her lips, hurt when she turned her head abruptly allowing him to kiss her cheek but for a second before she walked off. He watched her walk through security and then waved, knowing that she wouldn't wave back. But he loved her, and it was worth the effort that he'd gone through. After all she'd been looking forward to this trip for months. She was going to Dallas to visit her sister. Dallas was, in fact her holy land, not because of religion but because it was the site of the first Neiman-Marcus.
"Oh… Dr. Crane!"
Daphne's voice filled his senses, realizing him even more and he moaned with pleasure. "Oh, call me Niles."
But to his dismay he heard his brother's voice and then Daphne moved away as Frasier went on about some dull caller he'd encountered that morning. Reluctantly, Niles lifted his head and the magical time he'd spent with Daphne was gone. But he couldn't resist patting her arm, although he needed no excuse to have the pleasure of touching her. He got up from the chair a new man, feeling as though he could do anything.
"Thank you, Daphne. I feel much better now."
"I'm glad, Dr. Crane. I'm always here for you, if you need me."
And then she smiled, warming his heart once more. Perhaps he should carry Maris' luggage more often.