"Sweetheart, stop it, please!" Daphne cried. "I hate to hear you talk like this! Your father loves you and your brother very much. He may not always say it, but I know for a fact that he loves you. I see it every day." She ran her fingers through his hair, unable to stop her tears from falling. It was true that he had changed quite a bit since they'd first met all those years ago. His blonde hair had thinned and darkened and there were faint lines on his face that hadn't been there before. But he was still the most handsome man she'd ever laid eyes on; even more so now that he was older. And he always would be the only man she'd ever love.
"I should tell you that more often."
"Tell me what more often?"
She looked at him in surprise, and then laughed softly, realizing that she'd spoken her thoughts out loud. But she was glad that it happened. She smiled and kissed his soft lips once more.
"That you, Niles Crane, you are the most handsome man I've ever met in my life and I love you so much."
He kissed her passionately, the way she loved to be kissed, his hand splayed through her hair. She closed her eyes, becoming lost in the moment.
"I love you too, Daphne." Niles whispered into her hair. "And I love our son. He's the most perfect gift that you could have ever given me."
Tears filled her eyes at the wonderful compliment and now it was she who was emotional. "Oh Niles…"
They held each other for several long moments, enjoying the silence that surrounded them. But that silence was soon broken by the sound of familiar cries.
Daphne broke free of Niles' embrace, instantly missing the warmth of his body. "Oh no… David. I'd better go and check on him."
"Daphne, may I come with you?"
She smiled in relief and kissed Niles once again. "Of course you can come, sweetheart. I think that David would like that very much. He loves you so much, Niles. And so do I."