It was her sweet voice that lulled him out of a deep sleep, and for a moment he wondered if he was in fact still sleeping. But when his eyes slowly opened, he could hear his love murmuring softly.

Curious, he moved carefully and glanced at the goddess lying next to him. And then he smiled. She was having some sort of dream. Her eyes were closed and she had a contended smile on her face, which made her look even more like an angel sent from heaven.

The sight completely warmed his heart and it took all the resistance he held within to let her sleep. He wanted so much to take her into his arms and kiss her deeply; show her how much she meant to him, and dare he hope, even begin working on their dream of having another child.

Suddenly he could hardly breathe for wanting her. But she looked so peaceful and happy that to disturb her slumber would break his heart. And so he stared at her, unable to resist brushing a lock of hair from her face with such care that she barely stirred when he touched her.

And for the millionth time he wondered how he had gotten so lucky.

Who knew that a simple call to an agency would result in such blissful happiness?

Here he was, a man of success and prestige, lying in bed with a goddess of whom he would never be worthy. She was truly a gift from the gods above.

He peered into the heavens and closed his eyes.

"Thank you." He whispered.

His heart beat rapidly as he glanced at her once more. If he didn't at least kiss her, he wasn't sure he'd be able to control his surging emotions.

And so at the risk of waking her, he moved even closer so that his body was slightly covering hers and gently caressed her cheek. The touch of her skin, even after all the years they'd been together, never failed to excite him. It was a softness that would rival the finest silk.

Her lips beckoned to him; their sweetness inviting him to lean in, brushing his lips against hers. And when his immediate desire was fulfilled, he found it hard to move away. Her response to his kiss told him that she wasn't entirely engulfed in slumber.

Her eyes still closed, she slid her arms onto his shoulders and deepened the kiss.

He knew it was wrong; waking her this way, but he wanted her so badly.

"I love you, my sweet angel." He whispered; his mouth still on hers. "You're so beautiful and loving... and the way that you treat others is nothing less than inspiring. I'm the luckiest man in the world."

Amazingly, his own words of sentiment caused his eyes to fill with tears and he wondered if she could hear him. He drew back slowly, expecting her to open her eyes. But she merely stirred and changed positions, resting her head against the pillow.

"I love you, too." She said dreamily. "I love you so much.. I... never thought I could love someone like you. I've loved you since the first moment I saw you, even though I would never admit it. What would me father think?"

His heart soared at her words, but he was momentarily confused. She rarely spoke of her father in such a way.

But he supposed it was only natural. After all, what daughter or son didn't want to gain their father's approval of the person he or she loved? Niles certainly did. Even though he tried to pretend time and again that his father's opinion of Maris meant nothing to him, he was only lying to himself.

Martin Crane's opinion meant the world.

Yes, his marriage to Maris had ended in shambles, and his father had been right all along about Maris being completely wrong for him. But he was eternally grateful that his dad was so fond of Daphne.

As she stirred softly, he kissed her cheek.

"Daphne, you don't have to worry about that. Your father thinks the world of you. He loves you."

"I love you... too." She whispered. "But let's keep it a secret."

Now Niles was intrigued and he smiled mischievously.

"Of course my love. I won't tell a soul. I love you so much."

When he confirmed that she was still in a state of slumber, he sighed deeply. "Now... I think it's best if I let you sleep. I'll go check on our sweet son and then go into my study and do some reading."

And with that he placed one last gentle kiss on her lips.

"I love you, Daphne..."

He covered her with the comforter and smiled as he turned and headed for the doorway. And no sooner had he stepped into the hallway, when he heard her murmuring once more.

"I love you so much... Eric. You're so handsome..."